GM_Pace's Serpent's Skull

Game Master jhpace1

Initiative:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Round 1 on the Tears of Grog

Map of the Tears of Grog
(Ashana and Adriano, you need to put yourselves on the map. I've taken the liberty of coloring Shevan and Phillip in yellow so we can better tell the good guys from the bones.)

(Ashana goes first, even before the skeletons do, in fact.)

Ashana= 19
Skeletons=18
Phillip=13
Adriano=12
Shevan=9

Map of the Tears of Grog for some reason the above map reverted to just linking to the current page.

Ashana will move to F-6 charging the Skeleton at G-5. She lashes out at it with her claws(which do bludgeoning damage). She lets out a hiss as one of her claws connects. "Anyone want to help me set up a flank?" she calls out.

Claw attacks:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 161d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 31d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 81d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

added Adriano to the Map

(Adriano, I don't see you on the map.)

The skeleton Ashana struck (G5) lost a few bones on her first swipe, dodging her second attack. The undead skeleton attacked back, swinging its' bony hands at the black-furred cat-woman.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7, 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 (missing both times)

Sensing the movement, the other three skeletons rose and came in to Ashana's location (I7 to G7, AOO for Ashana and Phillip; K7 to G6; K5 to H6), jumping over the oarsmen's seats. The three flapped their empty jaws at Ashana, with two close enough to claw at her.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 (Critical miss), 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 (does not confirm) , 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 (miss & miss)
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8, 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 (miss & hit)
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 A claw raked her shoulder.

(AOOs could destroy a skeleton or two before Phillip's up!)

No attack of opportunity for me, we're all flat-footed but Ashana. Nobody but her has acted.

Phillip draws his rapier and strikes at G7, provided it hasn't been destroyed by Ashana's AoO. If it is, he'll 5-foot step into it's space and attack the one in G6.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Crit Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

These crit threats. They're so common.

i added myself again I am right next to Phillip

Phillip's thin rapier goes inbetween the rib cage of the skeleton, doing some damage but not as much as he hoped.

(Adriano's up!)

Praying to Sarenrae to bring the power of the sun down to destroy these undead he holds his symbol of the dawn flower to the sky and sings a prayer to the dawn flower.

Channel damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Channel Positive Energy 1d6 (5/day) (DC 12) (Su) A good cleric can channel positive energy to heal the living and injure the undead; an evil cleric can channel negative energy to injure the living and heal the undead. It is a 30 ft radius and the save is Will.

Two of the skeletons (G6 and H6) looked like they were shaken by the invisible wave of force from the cleric. Several bone fragments fell off of their bodies. The one on Ashana stopped moving, bringing its' arms to its' sides. The skeleton in front of Adriano and Phillip also took damage, but not enough.

(Top of the next round - Ashana!)

Round 2

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(Edit: Grumble, grumble, "Will save for half" wasn't on Adriano's sheet, I should have double-checked. "Creatures that take damage from channeled energy receive a Will save to halve the damage.")

Just so you know, GM, it's a will save for half. The other two should've been affected at least a bit.

Edit: What about Shevan?

(Forgot somebody!)
"Somebody knows how to flank? Wonders never cease." Shevan rumbled, smiling as he unhooked his flail from his belt. He moved, swinging his flail's head as he walked past the cat-girl (to G4), his eyes on the first skeleton as he came within range. The skeleton turned its' head to look at the warrior, but mysteriously did not lunge at him. "You'll get that flank in a minute, Ashana!" Shevan promised.

AOO(Claw):1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 71d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Thank you" Ashana will say to Shevan and then will bring forth the full power of her natural attacks. She unleashes two powerful claw swipes and then moving in for a bite on the skeleton in G7.

Claw 1:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 91d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Claw 2:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 41d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Bite:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 21d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Current hitpoint total:4/10
DOH!!! The skeleton I attacked last round was also flat footed...forgot my sneak attack...some rogue I am lol

Phillip attacks again, once the skeletons have gone, using his inoptimal weapon as best he can to do damage to them.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Crit Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Jeez. Another crit threat. I go through these things like water. Of course, I apparently can't confirm them, but jeez.

Middle of Round 2
Ashana= 19
Skeletons=18
Phillip=13
Adriano=12
Shevan=9

Map of the Tears of Grog

The skeleton closest to Ashana (G5) enjoyed the breeze from the catwoman. Its eye sockets glowing black, the skeleton made a single attack, clawing at the female, staggering at the same time.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

The skeleton, its' bones collapsing to dust, fell into pieces as it attacked Ashana. (It was at "0", and its' attack brought it into negative points.)

The skeleton in the middle (G6) moved closer to Phillip (F7), clawing at Phillip.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 (Miss)
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

The skeleton on Adriano kept on attacking.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 (Miss)

And the last skeleton (H6) moved to attack Shevan. (At G5)
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 (Miss)
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 (Miss)

Phillip's rapier tore through the sun-bleached bones of the skeleton in front of Adriano (G7, making an assumption since you didn't specify), destroying it. (You can't crit undead, Phillip - no organs!)

(Adriano's up!)

"Undead: Not at risk of death from massive damage, but is immediately destroyed when reduced to 0 hit points."

Correction: the one on Ashana before it crumbled would have crumbled anyway before it made the attack. So Ashana, no damage from that one on Round 2.

And Phillip, it only had 2 hp left, so 10-5 still equals wipeout. :)

Adriano calls forth the healing power of Sarenrae to heal his companions channeling Positive Energy healing only his party.

CPE: 1d6 ⇒ 4

"I haven't fought undead yet, but there's no need to hold back!" Shevan said loudly to the group. The ball-head of his flail scoured across the bones of the skeleton in front of the man.
Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 Damage (bludgeoning): 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

The skeleton fell apart, and Shevan stepped to where it had stood (5-foot step to G5), swinging his weapon as he stared at the last remaining skeleton.

Top of Round 3 - Ashana

since you said in the discussion thread that the one crumbled before it hit me I'm going to assume I remained standing instead of dropping to -2 hp and therefor having to fight from prone this round

Ashana will unleash another round of her full natural attacks.

Claw 1:1d20 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) - 1 + 2 = 81d4 + 1 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (2) = 4

Claw2:1d20 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) - 1 + 2 = 201d4 + 1 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (1) = 3

Bite:1d20 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) - 1 + 2 = 201d3 + 1 + 1d4 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (4) = 8

the extra d4 and the +2 to hit is from flanking with Philip. I do d4's on sneak attack damage since I'm not using a dagger or similar weapon see the archetype she's using[/dice]

[ooc]Current HP=8/10

All of her attacks do bludgeoning damage

The last skeleton fell at Ashana's claws. Looking around, you see no more undead. (Out of melee, etc.)

(I suppose you want to heal. Anybody want to take 20 on searching? There's an unopened door at C6 on the map.)

Ashana will search the room for anything of interest.

Taking 20 on a perception check she gets a 24

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

I'll go see what the doors all about, keeping my rapier in hand.

Take 20 on perception for a 20.

"I'll keep watch outside. We don't want another one of those huge crabs visiting." Shevan offered.

At first the single door will not open; the latch falls to pieces in Ashana's hand. A single push from Adriano makes the whole door fall apart in a pile of rotted wood.

Inside the single room is what looks like a captain's cabin. The room itself is ravaged - the only thing of value is a small, wooden chest in what was a hidden compartment in the wall that rotted away, leaving the chest half-in, half-out of the wall.

(Additional for high scores.)

You make out that the slaver ship or warship you stand upon was involved in some kind of rebellion. From the fire at the aft section to the ravaged room at the bow, it looks like the shacked slaves rebelled, someone set a fire, and the slaves went down with the Tears of Grog while the masters either escaped or were killed and thrown overboard before the crash on the outcropping island of Smuggler's Shiv. Certain markings and scraps of cloth indicate Chelish origins.

With the sun still rising, you have another tiny piece of the mystery that is Smuggler's Shiv.

(It's another Swim check or three to shore. Anybody want to open the chest? The lock fared better out of the salt air than the rusted oarpoints.)

Ashana will move over and investigate the chest. She will check its lock for traps(see perception below) before getting out her lock picks and getting to work on unlocking the chest.

Perception(for traps):1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Disable Device(for lock):1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

You detect no traps on the chest, and I'm sure if you took your time you could pick the lock. But your initial attempt fails.

"Give me a bit guys...I'll get it eventually Ashana says as she sighs and continues working the lock.

She'll take 20 for a total of 31.

The lock pops open, and you discover:
- two small, dusty vials not of glass but silver and heavy wax-topped stoppers. A single symbol decorates each.
- a scroll of unreadable language, with heavy, glittering ink marks
- a common dagger
- 20 common crossbow bolts
- flint and steel
- coins worth 25 gp; several of them have Chelish markings from 500-550 years ago
- a moldy, heavily damaged log. Opening it, you see the words "The Captain's Log - The Tears of Grog" in Chelish Common

Knowledge: Arcana, Spellcraft, or knowing the Chelish language would decipher the vials and the scroll

She will pack everything else back into the box and take the box with her. "Time to swim back then?"

Swim check:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

That's what it looks like, Ashana.

Phillip will swim behind, helping anyone who needs it.

Swim: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Swim: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
Swim: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

"So you found a chest. Nice to see some reward for this barge." Shevan commented. He nodded at Ashana's and Phillip's dialogue, and unstrung his bow to swim back to shore.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11 (+2 from Phillip) Shevan struggled in the undertow current.
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10 (+2 from Phillip) Swallowing seawater, Shevan worsened, even with Phillip helping him.
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Finally making it to shore, the warrior breathed hard, casting a glace back at the Tears of Grog. "The river back home was nothing like these waves." he complained. "The next shipwreck had better be on shore."

Oops forgot my remaining two swim checks

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Adriano hope he doesn't have any issues going back to shore but at least with Phillip's help he might have a chance.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Adriano jumps in and can't seem to get the footing he needs then tries again doing better now he keeps going

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

So a little worse for wear everybody makes it back to shore. Are you continuing South among the beach? It's only about 9:30am.

I'm thinking so, yeah. We don't exactly have much to bring back, yet.

I think we need to continue on

Hey Phillip can you update the swag bag with what Ashana found please?

Ashana coughs and sputters a little as she makes it onto the beach but stands tall being glad to be back on solid ground again. "Yes I agree the next ship better be on main land...though I have a feeling we won't get that lucky. This island isn't making things easy for us."

(Continuing on...)

Getting back into your adventuring line, the four of you continue down the beach, closely inspecting the three-and-a-half outcropping islands off of the Shiv's outer curve.

Here's the map, in case you need to see where you've explored

After more than an hour you pass by the third tiny island, and the cry of a reptile-bird alerts you to another dimorphodon nearby. Then you see the ship. It lies on the rocky low-tide line of the beach, half-in and half-out of the water. A large hole in the side, two broken masts, and the broken keel means it will never float again, but the upper deck looks well-preserved. You can make out a few seagulls on the far railing. On the rear of the ship you can see the words The Golden Bow half-erased by the salty spray. This ship is old, very old.

I've updated it.

It looks like we're in luck after all, eh Ashana? No swimming necessary, although I'll likely take a look in the lower half.

"As long as we don't have to swim." Shevan muttered good-naturedly. He held up a hand to shield his eyes as he looked at the ship.

oh, great climbing Adriano mumble under his breath "Another ship not to far along what good luck."

Coming close to the shipwreck, you have a choice, much like the Tattooed Lady: enter in though the large hole in the hull, or climb up to the main deck. You can easily slosh knee-high through the surf to the wreck. The sun is high in the sky. What do you do?

Picture of the Golden Bow

(Map to follow, depending upon your decision! And let's see if you split the party or not. Give me a Perception check once you climb onboard. No Climb check needed.)

"So climb on deck or walk over and through the hole?" Ashana asks.

Makes no difference to me.

"We haven't seen skeletons or zombies burst through the floor yet, so I would rather search in the sunlight." Shevan said.

Well, then, let's go up top, and work our way down.

The four of you wade waist-deep into the surf surrounding the Golden Bow, and easily climb the saltwater-warped planks making up the hull.

Map of the Golden Bow upper deck
(Go ahead and place yourselves. You came over the side near the "black" squares, which would have been the hole in the hull, from the beach side. Or you can swim around to the other side.)

Bleached bones lie everywhere. Three seagulls eye you from the railing of the poop deck. The Golden Bow was a ship built for speed, but its' swiftness did not help it against the Smuggler's Shiv. The crew met their final fate together it seems - the bones still have seaweed and bits of leather keeping them together. Why, some of the mariners' remains even have rusted longswords.

(Let's have a Perception check along with your placement.)