GM Mezegis- The Infernal Vault (Inactive)

Game Master Auke Teeninga

Norine fights off the temptation to just stare at the sparkles - "No time to be a gnome!" - and drops her shillelagh, causes her wand of protection from evil to spring into hand, casts it on Talwin, and then scoots to the other side of the demon, hoping to draw its attacks, babbling something hopefully-ominous-sounding in Celestial as she does so.

Free, SwA, StA, Move (down, right, down, diagonally left and down), possibly drawing AoOs.

Alexia vomits
Targost blindly shoots an arrow, provoking from the Dretch
AoO: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 2 = 24 and gets hit for damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Norine casts Protection from Evil on Talwin.
spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Dretch already AoOed on Targost

Next!

Ebon (Blind)
Janks (Nausiated 3)
Celeena
Dretch
Liadain (Nausiated 1)
Talwin
Alexia (Nausiated 1)
Targost (Blind)
Norine

" Grrrr. I hate being blind!"
Ebon screams as he again holds up his birthmark, this time channeling to heal himself and some of his teammates.
Since non of the current bad guys are hurt, he figured what the heck, can't see anyway. XD
channel to heal: 1d6 ⇒ 5
will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Blinking his eyes clear of the dust he smiles.." Hah! Thanks to you Iron Lord!!!"
!4 rounds left of fatigue, figure it'll probably last the rest of this encounter...XD, 1 round of enfeeblement down....

Ebon channels and manages to get the sparkles out of his eyes
The poisinous cloud fades away
Celeena makes a run for it

The dretch attacks Talwin, but his first claw attack is deflected by the Protection from Evil. It then switches to Targost

Claw: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15 hits! for damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Bite: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7 misses

Lia deposits the last of her stomach's contents on the floor
"She's getting away!"

Next!

Talwin
Alexia (Nausiated 1)
Targost (Blind)
Norine
Ebon
Janks (Nausiated 2)
Celeena
Dretch
Liadain

Tawin takes a 5' step back and lets his dagger fall. From here, he reches out to grab his spear from the floor. He then stabs at the dretch!

Cold Iron Longspear: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Fairly sure that from this square the spear (or at least an end of it) should be in the square behind me...

Talwin picks up his cold iron longspear and uses it to pierce the dretch.

The dretch first looks unhappy by the injury, but then realises that this attack will lessen the magical protection on Talwin. He grins at the inquisitor.

Alexia (Nausiated 1)
Targost (Blind)
Norine
Ebon
Janks (Nausiated 2)
Celeena
Dretch
Liadain
Talwin

I rolled dagger damage there, boss! Can we apply the roll below? I'd be OK if you just wanted to assume I rolled a 1 again, but dealt 5 damage instead of 4. Thanks!

Longspear damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Dretch takes 7

Norine turns and leaves the fight with the dretch, trying again to draw the creature's attack while chasing after the opponents, "After them!" she cries.
Move 40', possibly drawing an AoO from the dretch.

Probably lost them. Only Ebon, perhaps, could catch up.

Still blinded, Targost dares not to fire his bow. He instead tries to clear his eyes using some water from his canteen.

Will save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Coughing violently, the last effort bringing up nothing but bile, Alexia starts after them

Norine leaves the combat with the dretch, provoking
AoO: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 miss!

Alexia starts the pursuit, couging up the last remnants of the fog.

Targost tries to clear his eyes, but is unsuccesful.

Ebon
Janks (Nausiated 2)
Celeena
Dretch
Liadain
Talwin
Norine
Targost (Blind)
Alexia

Bow in hand, Ebon races after them...Well attempts to.
Can't run or charge, but a double move puts me in the space right behind Celeena...
"Get back here!" He roars as he takes 3 steps at a time up after Celeena.

Ebon goes into pursuit

Jenks nauseated and single moves.

Celeena looks at the heavily panting barbarain.

Celeena retreats.

"Janks. Do exactly what I command and I might yet spare your life!" she tells the still vomiting mercenary.

The dretch will attack the still blind Targost

claw: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 = 23 hit for damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
claw: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10 hit for damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
bite: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 = 14 hit for damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Liadain
Talwin
Norine
Targost (Blind)
Alexia
Ebon
Janks (Nauseated 1)
Celeena
Dretch

On his turn
Ebon doggedly continues the pursuit.
" Vile wench! stand and fight!"

Ebon continues his pursuit!

Liadain
Talwin
Norine
Targost (Blind)
Alexia
Janks (Nauseated 1)
Celeena
Dretch
Ebon

Talwin stands to defend his friend, striking at the dretch!

Cold Iron Longspear, bless and judgement: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Talwin strikes the dretch!

Liadain
Norine
Targost (Blind)
Alexia
Janks (Nauseated 1)
Celeena
Dretch
Ebon
Talwin

Still blind, and helpless, Targost continues to try and regain his sight.

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Targost, Are you now at 1 hp, having taken 12 additional damage? Your status line still says 13/16. Also - if you are still blinded and are at 1 hp - Total Defense would be good and a 5' step would, I think, also still be allowed. (You could even move at half speed towards us and/or attempt to strike at the dretch, with a 50% miss chance.) Norine, however, isn't going to be able to outpace the dretch's damage, having only 1 channel heal left.

Norine will delay just long enough to see if Targost is still blinded and what he does.

Targost, Are you now at 1 hp, having taken 12 additional damage? Your status line still says 13/16. Also - if you are still blinded and are at 1 hp - Total Defense would be good and a 5' step would, I think, also still be allowed. (You could even move at half speed towards us and/or attempt to strike at the dretch, with a 50% miss chance.) Norine, however, isn't going to be able to outpace the dretch's damage, having only 1 channel heal left.

Norine will delay just long enough to see if Targost is still blinded and what he does.

Problem is that you need to see to 5 foot step and that total defense gives a dodge bonus, which you lose if you loose your dex bonus. He does make the save though, so after his turn he can see again! And by my calculations Tagorst is currently at 2 hp.

Targost manages to get rid of the sparkle in his eyes.

Liadain
Norine
Alexia
Janks (Nauseated 1)
Celeena
Dretch
Ebon
Talwin
Targost

Sorry my power has been out here since last night and I was not able to change my status or anything!! Lots of rain going on here in S. Alberta!! Thanks for the help Norine!! I wanted to move..really I did, but being blind really sucks and hampers you big time (as GM Auke explained)

Alexia stays hot on the heels of Janks and Celeena (not sure which way they went, please move my token appropriately).

Alixia follows suit.

Liadain
Norine
Janks (Nauseated 1)
Celeena
Dretch
Ebon
Talwin
Targost
Alexia

Good point, GM: I had completely forgot about the loss of the dodge bonus. I also had checked "Blindness", but missed the part in 5-foot step about "hampered by difficult terrain or darkness" (with Blindness equivalent to darkness). An attack would still be possible, at least if is isn't ranged and so provoking an additional AoO.

Targost, Sorry if I/Norine was/seemed grumpy.

Norine tries to hustle back but can't make it in time and so stops short, grasping her holy symbol and releasing more healing energy.
It should reach everyone but Ebon, I think.
Channel Heal: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7

Wow, I've used all 8 channel energies, a CMW, and some wand charges.

Norine channels and heals Targost back quite a bit.

(Only allies that were hurt before channel where Ebon and Targost, but with Targost as low on hitpoints as he was I think it was a good call)

Liadain
Janks (Nauseated 1)
Celeena
Dretch
Ebon
Talwin
Targost
Alexia
Norine

Sorry. I have an exam in an hour or so and have only briefly skimmed what's been going on yesterday. Is it possible for me to follow after Janks and Celeena? If so - that's where I'm going.

If I can move to see Celeena within a move action, I'll use glitterdust on her (and Janks too if I can manage it

No problem Norine! I took it as you giving me advise, is all, and thanks for the healing!! Did not think you were being grumpy :-)

Sorry. I have an exam in an hour or so and have only briefly skimmed what's been going on yesterday. Is it possible for me to follow after Janks and Celeena? If so - that's where I'm going.

Good luck!

Liadain also goes into pursuit!

Janks vomits and walks towards the exit.

Celeena moves, casts mage hand and flips the top right lever, lowering the porcullis with a loud slam.

The dretch continues his assault on Targost.

claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 hits for damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 hits for damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 hits for damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Targost goes down!

Bold is up!

Ebon
Talwin
Targost
Alexia
Norine
Liadain
Janks
Celeena
Dretch

Talwin tries to avenge Targost, hoping to end the threat and save his friend!

Cold Iron Longspear w/ bless & judgement: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Talwin manages to hit and severely injure the Dretch!

Targost tries to stabilize: 1d20 ⇒ 20
And succeeds, but you don't know that ;-)

Ebon
Alexia
Norine
Liadain
Janks
Celeena
Dretch
Talwin
Targost

Well, at least Targost is now only down to -1 or so.

If the dretch is still up after Talwin:
Cold iron dagger: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 171d3 ⇒ 3

Norine draws her cold iron dagger as she steps forward, stabbing the dretch with as much force as she can bring to bear.

Edit: Cross-posted a bit as I was doing something else, too.

Norine draws a cold iron dagger and stabs the dretch back to the Abyss!

Ebon
Alexia
Liadain
Janks
Celeena
Talwin
Targost
Norine

Stopped by the portcullis, Ebon Draws and fires at the retreating sorceress. "I will find you!"
Attack with bow: 1d20 + 3 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 - 2 + 1 = 12
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Ebon's pursuit is halted by the purtcullis. The barbarian shoots his bow, but misses.

I think that damage roll did not take the ray of enfeeblement into account

Alexia
Liadain
Janks
Celeena
Talwin
Targost
Norine
Ebon

Alexia continues the pursuit. Double move.

Ack no it didn't sorry, remembered fatigue but not enbfeeblement. its been 3 or 4 rounds tho, so it shouldn't last much longer...I hope.

Liadain is swamped with exams and may not be able to post much....
Might wanna DMPC her, especially as I think we're locked in here and the bad guys are getting away!!! XD

Liadain is swamped with exams and may not be able to post much....

Might wanna DMPC her, especially as I think we're locked in here and the bad guys are getting away!!! XD

That's why I don't want to DMPC her. I don't mind if one of the other players ghosts her though.

I'll let someone else more familiar Bards/Arcane Duelists and other such fancy things ghost her. Talwin or Alexia, perhaps?

Well Targost is kinda a ghost at the moment..lol

To be honest, you'll indeed need something of a miracle to catch up and then need yet another miracle to survive the fight with your current resources. (Barbarian without rage, Cleric without channels, Witch without spells, Sorcerer without hitspoints).

So my suggestion is that we go off the normal scenario, rest up and you device a plan to get those documents!

IMHO this scenario is a lot easier if you actually use the faction missions. Lots of information in there that can prepare you for the various encounters.

I still (usually) provide faction mission, stressing that they won't affect one's prestige points and are entirely optional and provided for historical and story reasons only. I'm enjoying doing them, myself, in one campaign I am in, with a Silver Crusade paladin working with the Andorans in "The Devil We Know" series. He likely won't fulfill one part of the mission, for moral reasons, but the rest has been right up his alley.

Norine is momentarily stunned and paused by having finished off the dretch with her dagger (even given that most all of the work was done by Talwin and others). Collecting her thoughts, she hears a little voice in her head (not, in itself, uncommon...) but this time it makes a lot of sense! She suddenly yells, "No! Let's bring Ebon and the others back - we'll rest, heal, and complete the mission!" She knows she is without the ability to channel more energy without rest, and fears the Shoanti's safety, getting so far away. Even the kindness they have shown to the released mercenary may come back to haunt them...

She then touches Targost with her wand until he is fully healed.
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
My wand is feeling kind of light, so I'll let someone else use some charges on others, if possible.

Talwin will assist with the healing, using his wand to restore the others.

If you're hurt, go ahead and roll for yourself. I'll tally up the charges and mark them off.

After this adventure, Targost will be purchasing you a new wand Norine!!! Thanks!

" YAAaaaqarrgggggGGGHHH!!!"

Gritting his teeth and shaking the portcullis as hard as he can, Ebon screams in anger and stomps back down to the others, Grabbing Liadain on the way.
" Let's heal and rest. At least long enough for this weakness spell to end and my exhaustion from raging to go away. Also I am starving. " With that Ebon will sit down. " Anyone one wanna use my CLW wand to heal Its full of magic still..."
Ebon's wand is still in the 40's so feel free to use it instead. just lemme know how many charges to lose...XD

Alexia admits defeat, muttering under her breath as she returns to the group. During the meal, she sulks angrily. "I have sworn to kill that man," she says to no one in particular, her voice rimmed with hostility, "And by the Nine Hells, I will fulfill that promise!"

"I'll be right with you, my dear," Liadain declares bitterly. She's rather quiet after this affair besides this sort of bitter muttering--she's clearly taken their failure to heart quite severely. "I'm not going to stand for that arrogant son of a so-and-so to think that he's gotten away scott-free from all this! Arghhh!"

So what is the plan from here? How do we have any chance of getting to them? Wasn't Celeena taking the documents from this vault and taking them to Cheliax? I feel like we've failed the mission here...

When you all finally manage to get past the portcullis, there's no sign of Celeena or her mercenaries, but without powerful magic, there's no way she can quickly get to Cheliax so there might be a possibility to catch up!

Please tell me what you are doing to gather info.