GM Parrot's The Ferry and the Depths: Rappan Athuk (Inactive)

Game Master parrot familiar

The well is carved with a phatasmagoric hellscape of demons, devils, and lost souls in torment.

Peering into it, Lolly sees deep grooved claw marks, as if something huge and incredibly strong tried to haul itself out of the well.

There's a shimmer of water about 90 ft below. The shaft seems to open out into a cavern at the bottom.

Lolygert notes the claw marks and nods sagely, calling to the others, "Looks like there's a wee critter down here....bit of water too....and a cave..."

Talathel walks near enough to catch the dwarf statue's facial expression.

The dwarf's expression is one of weariness, as if he's feeling the weight of the ages he's spent watching the graveyard fill.

The statue is carved with runes.

Talathel sees a small compartment at the foot of the statue, with a handle.

To Lolly's alert about the well, Aurora comes over to join him in observing it. "Quite the drop, that is... even if we had enough rope for a rappel, it'd be horribly grueling to climb back up."

The dwarf begins peering at the ground around the well; statue; and mausoleums.

Survival (Wis): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

At Talathel’s side, Anzath checks the compartment and handle for signs of a trap.
Perception-Light Blindness+Trapfinding: 1d20 + 12 - 1 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 12 - 1 + 3 = 31

Mone places her paws on the side of the well and looks down into it. She barks once into the darkness.

Anzath: No traps. You slide it open, cautiously. Inside is an enormous iron key. Tragershen, nearby blasting Detect Magic, sees that it radiates a faint aura of conjuration magic.

Bedlam sees plenty of ratprints, ranging from small to improbably large (even for dire rats). He also sees humanoid footprints. His hunch is that they are undead--occasionally a toe will be missing, or a heel is bone rather than flesh.

Anzath takes the key and takes a longer look at the statue. Any indication who the personage might be?
Kn. Local?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Bedlam points out his findings to the group. The dwarf then studies the statue; before looking over the Mausoleum.
Perception: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 2 = 28

Anzath knows that this is dwarf was likely from a distant land, someone who traveled here for adventure and to fight the evil of the depths. This, his grave, warns travelers to pass on to their homes and to fight the evil in their hearts instead of the evil in these halls. And yet, the heavy key...

...Bedlam sees that it is precisely the right shape for the keyhole in the central mausoleum.

As one of our too-coo-for school elves leans back against the wall of the mausoleum, one of our longer-haired adventures (likely Tragershen) notices that one of the gargoyles is moving!

Art from the book, already posted online to a blog. Looks just like you folk, though! Also you don't actually have to be positioned as such...

Init Adelie and Mone: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 21d2 ⇒ 1
Init Anzath aboveground: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Init Aurora: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Init Bedlam: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Init Lolly: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Init Talathel: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Init Tragershen: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Init Gargoyle: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Init Gargoyle: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Init Gargoyle: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Init Gargoyle: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Init Gargoyle: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Init Gargoyle: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Init Gargoyle: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Init Gargoyle: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Tragershen divines the motion of the statues the moment before they begin to move! He may act.

Bedlam smirks sarcastically.
Me nev'r seen dis coming!

Tragershen senses the movement an instant before it actually starts. He casts his most powerful spell as a means of alerting his friends; they should know when the celerity rises in their blood that danger is upon them!

With the speed upon him, he glides over to Tslsthel, ensuring that any gargoyle that comes for him has to content with his elven skills first.

Casting haste on everyone except Mone. Drawing his club as he moves next to Tslathel. I am assuming Anzath is close to him, so he'll take a position close to both that minimizes flanking risks.

Knowledge (arcana) (Int): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

who gets gargled, alpha order: 1d8 ⇒ 51d8 ⇒ 11d8 ⇒ 1

The gargoyles swoop down on the party! One heads for Lolly, while two go for Adelie.

They try to carry off the druid:

Double grapple plus flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 18

I think that's exactly a hit, Addie, even with haste, but let me know if I'm wrong! If I'm not--

The pair of gargoyles wrap Adelie in their arms. He's grappled.

Lolly is heavy-looking, so the garg' goes for a bite:

Bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 81d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

...a miss!

Tragershen
Gargoyles x 3
Anzath
Aurora
Bedlam
Lolly
Talathel
Gargoyles x 5
Adelie and Mone (A is grappled)

Anzath, Aurora, Bedlam, Lolly, and Talathel may act!

Oh yeah, Knowledge: Arcana! Bedlam knows that they have lots of arms for lots of attacks, wings, and DR/Magic.

After whatever buff Aurora likely casts.

In a flash, Anzath has her crossbow out and loaded. She levels it at one of the gargoyles who has yet to move and aims for a killshot.
Crossbow+Haste vs FF: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 1 = 14
VS dmg+SA: 2d8 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 8) + (6) = 15
+2 dmg from immediate ST if it hits.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Talathel is only a few times more familiar with the nature of gargoyles than the common adventurer.

I must study harder!

How close are the various gargoyles to the elven trio? I'm trying to work out if they're so close I can charge them while covering the others with AOO.

Let's let fate decide

Can Talathel charge while keeping his friends in his threatened range? 1 yes 2 no: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Not this time! It'd be a pretty odd configuration that would allow you to do so. However, you can charge the ones grabbing Adelie or the one fighting Lolly, if you're also willing to leave Tragershen and Anzath to their own devices. Or ready/delay. And you can assume that Bedlam bellows what he knows about the monsters.

Gotcha!

Talathel will hold his position for now, covering those near him.

But he is ready to strike regardless.

AC currently 22 with haste and snakeskin tunic

Bedlam bellows what he knows about gargoyles.

post attack later...any within 5' of Bedlam?

As the key is taken to the mausoleum, Aurora hems and leaves the well she was staring down the depths of in favor of staying near the group. She narrows her eyes as the gargoyles spring to life to press an assault against the group, and lofts her holy symbol as she speaks a prayer. If necessary, she adjusts her position as much as she can to ensure as many targets as possible are affected.

Prayer! — Aurora and all of her allies in a 40ft. radius burst gain a +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks, while each of their foes takes a -1 penalty on such rolls. 6 round duration.

Indeed....is the one harrassing Adeline within a 5' step for Lolly?

LET FATE DECIDE

Bedlam in 5 ft step range 1 yes 2 no: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Lolly in range 1 yes 2 no: 1d2 ⇒ 1

Lolly, after all, has been attacked by a gargoyle so this makes sense. We'll say he's also within range of Adelie and her devious duo of gargoyles. Bedlam will have to move to reach them, though.

Bedlam moves into a flank with Lolly. The dwarf swings his magical heavy pick at a gargoyle attacking the druid.
Melee +1 heavy pick: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 151d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Are there many gargoyles left to go as Talathel waits to act?

Looks like 5 more just shooting the s#@+...for now!

AC 22 with Haste...

I think it's time for Lolly to open up a can of his finest whup on these guys, at which point the next five gargles will swoop in on you! I'll randomize it, but odds are Tal will get at least an AOO or few in there, and then you can take your turn with Adelie and Mone. Unless you've gotten bored, and feel like taking a normal turn now, of course, Tal.

Lolygert fends off the gargoyle's attack, shouting back at Bedlam "Ok, lots of arms and wings! Got it!"

He the sees that two of the critters had attacked his new friend Adelie. Frowning at the unfairness thus displayed, Lolygert got angry fast.

A deep bestial growl come from deep in his chest, his eyes bug out much more than usual, and with a shout he forgets the gargoyle threatening him and launches himself at the nearest gargoyle threatening amelie.

One thing the others note is that Lolygert's sword transforms as well...now showing brilliant patterns of savage animals rending and tearing at unfortunate victims...

RAGING....5ft step

attack: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 1 + 1 = 35
crit confirm: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 1 + 1 = 19
damage: 2d6 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (3, 5) + 12 + 1 = 21
crit damage, if applicable: 2d6 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6) + 12 + 1 = 21

attack, from haste: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 14 + 1 + 1 = 36
crit confirm: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 1 + 1 = 19
damage: 2d6 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (2, 5) + 12 + 1 = 20
crit damage, if applicable: 2d6 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (1, 3) + 12 + 1 = 17

haste: +1 ac, reflex , attack, one extra attack; prayer: +1 attack, skill, damage, saves

Well... well.... welllllcome back, Lolly! Bedlam's famous defintely-not-killing-Mone's-grandma-wolf crit has been topped! 79 damage!

Lolly crushes one of the green gargoyles into green gravel. With a sword. The other is smashed, but retains a tenuous grip on its strange being.

Anzath's shot goes just wide of the mark. Bedlam's pick falters in awe of the mass destruction unleashed by the barbarian, and he also misses.

Five more gargoyles swoop in!

who do they attack? alpha order: 1d8 ⇒ 81d8 ⇒ 31d8 ⇒ 31d8 ⇒ 71d8 ⇒ 1

Tragershen, Aurora, Aurora, Talathel, and Adelie each get some gargoyle!

Talathel's anti-aircraft spear lashes out at the ones attacking Tragershen and himself, dealing each a blow before they start grappling the crew:

Grapple: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Grapple: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Grapple aid another vs. Aurora: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Grapple: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Grapple: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Just noticed that they don't have Improved Grapple, so Adelie gets to swat at the one that attacked him last turn!

Scimitar Retcon: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 161d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Haha, it is dead!

Adelie had shoved his scimitar into the gargoyle's stony embrace, doing a paltry amount of damage--but somehow, Lolly's mighty hack took advantage of that crack in the rock!

Ok, now everyone else gets their AOO. I hate grapple. Going to post what I've done so far and eat breakfast.

Bedlam pauses; looks at the hidden camera, and grunts.
Me Be lik'n sum breakfast!

Bedlam: Kate made a tart with a rye crust with almond and vanilla frangipane filling and gravenstein apples. Damn good way to wake up!

AOO time!

Trag AOO: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Aurora AOO: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 281d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Adelie AOO: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 151d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Tragershen fails to defend himself and is grappled.

Aurora clonks her gargoyle, hard, and even the assistance of its friend can't help it grab on.

Adelie again clangs his scimitar against his assailant--but he's grappled, again!

Talathel's martial arts protect him from even a many-limbed attempt to pin him down, and he remains free to act.

Adelie and Mone may act! So can Tal, if he'd like!

@GM Parrot: That sounds like a fine breakfast!

Seeing Tragershen in danger, Talathel immediately focuses his efforts - and spear tip - into freeing the elf mage.

The gargoyle has helpfully exposed its back to said spear tip.

Hasted, Praying Spear Stabbing: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 1 + 1 = 34

Critical Stabbing?: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 1 + 1 = 28

Critical Damage: 2d8 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 6 + 2 = 14

Hasted, Praying Spear Stabbing: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 1 + 1 = 24

Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

-4 to dex while grappling. Heheheh.

Can Adelie Wild Shape? If so,

Adelie's small success with his scimitar does little to boost his confidence in it. Giving up on hitting things with a sharp stick, he uses his druid ability to become a dire lion.

Does Mone get an AOO? She and Adelie wouldn't be far from each other, unless explicitly stated. But I don't really know how AOO work!

Mone tries to bite the gargoyle holding her druid:
Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4
Trip: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Mone won't get an AOO because mobile enemies are smart enough to position themselves advantageously when fighting against foes in the open who aren't wielding reach weapons. Tal got his because he's got the reach to force them to cross his threatened area in order to work their mischief. Wild shape works, though!

Tragershen
Gargoyles x 1
Anzath
Aurora
Bedlam
Lolly
Gargoyles x 5 (v. Au d8, v. Ad d6, v. Tr d35, v. Ta d13)
Adelie and Mone (A is grappled, dire lion by the tail)
Talathel

Aww heck I missed that it's Tragershen's turn! You may act, Trag! Note that the one grappling you is at death's door!

In the back of his mind, Tragershen considers options for techniques to deal with grappling.

In the fore of his mind, Tragershen tries to see what the gargoyle is going to do in order to get in a good strike. He drops his club in favor of his dagger; a weapon more suited for the close quarters.

Drop club, draw dagger and attack.

Prescience 1d20 ⇒ 19
To hit 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 - 2 = 10
Damage 1d4 ⇒ 3

Substitute that 19 for the to hit roll, giving him a chance at a crit.
Confirm? 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 - 2 = 12, damage 1d4 ⇒ 3

Tragershen
Gargoyles x 1
Anzath
Aurora
Bedlam
Lolly
Gargoyles x 5 (v. Au d8, v. Ad d6, v. Tr d35, v. Ta d13)
Adelie and Mone (A is grappled, dire lion by the tail)
Talathel

Anzath, Aurora, Bedlam, and Lolly may act!

Sloppy GMing over here, I also forgot that gargoyle DR/Magic would protect them from Mone's bites and Adelie's scimitar. Gotta get my head into the game! I err on the side of the players, though, so only Tragershen will suffer for this discovery. That's not a magic dagger, is it, Trag?

Tragershen's dagger rings against the stony gargoyle, but it doesn't flinch.

The last of the first set of gargoyles moves to fight Lolly:

Bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 161d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Gore: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 261d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 101d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 221d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 81d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

A horn and a claw catch the jolly barbarian, dealing him eleven damage.

Aurora tightens her grip on the mace and a-swings for one of the gargoyles hassling her... hastily.

+1 Light Mace + Prayer + Haste: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Damage + Prayer: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

+1 Light Mace + Prayer + Haste: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Damage + Prayer: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Bedlam 5' steps into a flank with Lolly. The dwarf swings for the Gargoyle from 1st set.
Melee +1 heavy pick: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 151d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13

Melee +1 heavy pick: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 191d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 = 9

Just a note, while raging lolly's hp is 72, ac is 22 from haste

Lolyget smiles balefully as one of the gargoyles confronts him, chuckling as it's claws and horn raise large scratches on his arms, "Hahaha....that tickles "

Then with a swift torque of his hips, the ferociously glowing sword raises and .....falls.

attack: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 14 + 1 + 1 = 32
damage: 2d6 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (1, 3) + 12 + 1 = 17

attack, from haste: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 14 + 1 + 1 = 18
damage: 2d6 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 12 + 1 = 19

Anzath drops her crossbow and steps into a flank with Tal and Trag, drawing two magically glowing blades, helping to eliminate the gargoyles immediately threatening her elven companions.
Kritfisher+Haste+Prayer: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 26
dmg+Prayer+SA+Immediate ST: 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + (6) + 2 = 15
Kritfisher+Haste+Prayer: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 29
dmg+Prayer+SA+Immediate ST: 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + (3) + 2 = 11
Krit Konfirm: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 23
Krit dmg+Killer: 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 13
Vael's Blade+Haste+Prayer: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 9
dmg+Prayer+SA+Immediate ST: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 + (5) + 2 = 13
Kritfisher+Haste+Prayer: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 24
dmg+Prayer+SA+Immediate ST: 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + (1) + 2 = 12
Krit Konfirm: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 20
Krit dmg+Killer: 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 11

I forgot Flanking and Light Blindness, which nets another +1 to all attacks.

Whistles softly. Level 6 is good for the martials! 61 damage from Anzath would have beat the record if Lolly hadn't pushed it higher a turn prior...

A whirling flurry of flashing blades, holy and unholy, reduce the gargoyles fighting the elven men to mere green gravel in a matter of seconds.

Lolly finishes off the one facing him, too.

That leaves one fighting Aurora and one grappling Adelie.

The gargoyles, sensing that they are getting the worst of the fight, do not retreat. Is that a stony grin spreading across their faces, or were they always carved that way?

vs. Adelie: 17 AC normally, +1 haste, +4 natural armor as large creature, -5 loss of armor/shield, -1 dex penalty for large, -2 dex penalty grapple = AC 14, I think! Plus factor in that the gargoyle takes -2 for grappling. Did I forget anything?

Unfazed, the 'goyle rips into the dire lion:

Bite: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 - 2 = 101d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Gore: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 - 2 = 211d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Claw: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 2 = 191d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Claw: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 - 2 = 91d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

vs. Aurora:

Also unfazed, also full attacking, but it looks somehow less foolhardy over here...

Bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 161d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Gore: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 241d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 241d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 91d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Addy's got 11 damage heading his way, and Aurora gets twelve.

All may act!

Bedlam’s will always be impressive in that it was a single attack.

Aurora sends another pair of hasty swings for the head of the gargoyle hassling her.

+1 Light Mace + Prayer + Haste: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

+1 Light Mace + Prayer + Haste: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

— Though, both swing wide.