GM SpiderBeard's Carrion Crown (Inactive)

Game Master motteditor

You take a bit to recover from the fight and get disturbed by Adder's family dynamics. Gathering together, you strike on the only direction you have - southwards. As you begin to round the corner you start to hear the sound of horrible chanting and the thumping of tridents.

"Iä! Iä! Shub-Niggurath!"

BOOM

The hallways echo as the spears thud into the ground. Adder and Jameson peek around the hallway to see the following.

The corridor widens into a large cavern here. To the northeast stands a statue carved of green and black stone, depicting a nightmarish creature that is neither fish nor eel nor octopus, yet contains features of all three and more. The walls around the statue have been decorated with hundreds of varieties of inlaid shells and pieces of strange reddish gold, amid profane symbols carved into the rock. To the southwest, a grime-encrusted warhammer sits atop a stone pedestal.

Four skum are lying in obvious wait, chanting in response to an unseen caller further down the passage. As they chant, an enormous water elemental roars up from the ground. There is a hoarse cry to attack as you spot each other, and they start charging!

Lena and Wren are up! New map is up since you're in a room that split the two halves of the level.

Round 1, Init 21

Wren moves up and away from the water elemental, firing a trio of scorching rays at it before the melees muck up her aim. 15' up.

1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 = 15 touch to hit; (heroism)
4d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 4, 5) = 20 fire damage;

1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 2 = 19 touch to hit; (heroism)
4d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 3, 2) = 11 fire damage;

1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 = 23 touch to hit; (heroism)
4d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 6, 6) = 15 fire damage;

Lena moves and drops a fireball onto the water elemental

fireball: 10d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 5, 1, 6, 1, 6, 2, 4, 6) = 33 Reflex DC 21 for half

The fireball detonates so the water elemental and the two skum near it get hit.

Let me at them! Let me at them!
Then blasts of heat go roaring by Bronin and hit the water elemental.
Oh, wow- well done! Good entry shots.

There's a FOOM as flames roars from the group, slamming into the enormous elemental. It seems to sway a bit before Lena's last scorching ray blows the thing up, spraying the skum with water! There's a shout of annoyance and more chanting. Meanwhile, the now-injured skum back off, waiting for you to come to them.

Everyone is up!

Lena moves forward, and another fireball rolls out.

fireball: 10d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 6, 4, 5, 1, 1, 3, 4, 5) = 36 DC 21 for half

The fireball detonates near the bottom skum.

Whiskeyjack moves up into the chokepoint with his shield raised, taking on a defensive stance.

Double move. SS +2 up

Adder moves up with Whiskey.

Round 2, Init 21

Wren sends a burst of missiles into the far foe. Please move Wren about 10’ behind Adder. She’s 10ft off the ground.

”cawCAW!”

5d4 + 5 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 3, 3) + 5 = 19 force damage
30/50 charges left.

Elena moves up as the group pushes forward. She taps at her ears after the several explosions nearly make her deaf. "Mwap....Mwap!"

Potpie scuttles forth in the confusion, well past the rest of the group before Elena can stop the chicken.

Both Double move.

Get back here PotPie!
Bronin sees the strategy of the others and approves, but VestalLena's dear chicken is going straight to the skum. He moves to try and see if he can save the chicken's neck!
double move

Lena's fireball scorches the skum badly as Wren blasts one with a magic missile. The group all move into position and the caster's spell finishes. Another elemental appears, this one a fire elemental but far smaller than the last one. It moves for the first available target which unfortunately is Pot Pie. The chicken squawks and JUST avoids the tendrils of the fire. The skum position themselves and start hurling projectiles at Bronin - all of which he bats out of the air.

The caster in the back chants another spell, chanting to his dark gods in a strange tongue.

Everyone is up!

Wren moves 40’ south so she can see the spellcaster. Wren is 15’ up.

Standard action to come. Is there anything interesting or pertinent or a check that she can make to help her defeat this foe? I know we have a cool pic in the map, but any knowledge check? Is big ass skum?

Big ass skum plainly casting divine magic. He's shimmering with some protective spells and was calling out to what Wren recognizes is an Elder God with the chanting. But he's not a particularly different type of creature.

Elena skids around the corner. Something pulls at the back of her mind, though she isn't sure what exactly. The shimmering medallion around her neck pulsates once more as the shadows become offensive behind her. A pair of shadowed bolts leap from the crevices from behind Elena, striking out at both the yellow skum and the chanting skum in the back of the room.

Gloomblind Bolts Damage (Yellow Skum): 4d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 1, 5) = 14 DC 18 reflex or blinded
Gloomblind Bolts Damage (Chanting Skum): 4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 5, 4) = 14 DC 18 reflex or blinded

Seeing the bolts Elena ducks down. "AHHH!" She looks for where Potpie went as she is all disoriented. The shadows cling to the skum, spreading over them.

Potpie defends itself against the fire elemental.

Bite vs Fire Elemental: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Round 3, Init 21

Wren will ready to cast Acid Arrow at the caster the next time it casts a spell.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 ranged touch to hit;
2d4 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4 acid round #1
1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 36 SR, if nec

2d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8 acid round #2
2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7 acid round #3
2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5 acid round #4

Seeing shadows spring from the wall just to the outside of his peripheral vision and jet across the circular room makes Bronin think of something different than the truth.

Watch out group, we just set off traps from that far off wall! But, the stupid skum were in the path of their own traps! Ha!

He swivels his head as he surveys the scene.
VestalLina! Get up on your feet and behind the picket line for you r own safety! Bronin then moves to be a protective buffer- taking the attacks and attention of the Skum (and possibly the ire of the leader).
Fully defensive, switch short sword of defending to full defense mode. New AC: 28! 21 +1 for sword +6 for Fully due to acrobatics ranks.

Lena steps forward 5 feet, and casts another fireball. Drawing deep on her connection to the elemental plane of fire, this one is much hotter than the last

fireball, empowered: 10d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 6, 5, 1, 4, 2, 2, 4, 5) = 37 x1.5=55 damage, dc21 reflex for half

targeting the square below the purple one.

Whiskeyjack casts a bit a divine favor, then sets his shield and charges the fire elemental. The glowing hammer tip whipped into the fire elemental.

"Tha's me dinner ye walkin' flash fryer, an' I dinnae be likin' me chicken extra crispy!"

charge, pa, df: 1d20 + 12 + 2 - 2 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 2 - 2 + 3 = 25
damage,pa,df: 1d10 + 6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 4 + 3 = 19
intimidate: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Burning a fervor to cast DF as swift, charging the fire elemental. SS +2 is up

Adder takes a moment to study the elemental before taking a running dive over PotPie's head and rolls under the elementals arms.

Move to Acrobatics, +10 to DC to get 30' of movement.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

He studies his foe Swift and realizes his thrilling heroics are for naught, the column of fire has no weaknesses he can exploit.

Attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26
Damage: 2d4 + 20 ⇒ (4, 1) + 20 = 25

Gahhhh I swore I was waiting on players for some reason. I post early on one day and it throws my routine off. Apologies!

Moved you to LoS with the caster, Wren.

Failing to understand, and even terrified of her own power, Elena sends forth two strange bolts. The one that hits the caster has an immediate, terrible effect as his eyes go black. Whiskeyjack and Adder sandwich the fire elemental and put a swift end to it. Wren stays put to watch the caster, and Lena just sends out one hell of a fireball. The rocks are scored of their heat and blackened by the intensity of the spell.

When it clears, all four skum are nothing but blackened skeletons. Only the caster remains. He screams, clawing at his eyes. Slowly, his hands drop and he stares at you with blind eyes, he chants a spell...

Concentration: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

And he manages to shrug off Wren's planned acid arrow. He seems to grow in size and strength, and he roars a challenge!

Everyone is up!

Hearing the monster's challenge, and with his blood already up, Whiskeyjack pushes past Adder to face the brute, shield held high and dwarven insults on his tongue.

"Ye think ye ken be scarin' us, ye unemployed goblin fluffer? Ye're ol' granny was more frightnin' when she changed her blood rags wit' yer mam's beard-hairs! Why dinnae ye stop yer bellyachin' an' come over here afore someone ferge's ye're a monster an' starts treatin' ye like one o' them purse dogs th' city women carry abou'!"

Double move and SS+2 up!

Round 4, Init 21

Wren will ready to disrupt the spell by the big ugly, using her wand to shoot the bigugly with many screaming claws of force.

”cawCAW!”

5d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 2, 1) + 5 = 17 force damage
29/50 charges left.

The creature begins to experience intense, wracking pain as it's mind plays tricks on it. The necklace's glow seems to grow in power as Elena's voice changes to that of a completely different woman's. "Αγωνία." She turns to observe the area. "A new host...I see..." The glow subsides and Elena nearly collapses to the floor. "What happened? I feel like I just worked a double shift."

Agony on the caster Fort Save DC 20 to negate.

Bronin looks quickly behind him at the strangeness of VestalLena's words.
Women, I never understand them!
With that, he shrugs and.....

Bronin moves to position to take on the Skum boss. The chanter, the spellcaster, the danger that can withstand the hot fires of Lina. But can this enemy withstand the hot fires of a man who wants revenge? Bronin will test him and see.
attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17
damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 5) + 7 = 14 Heavy Bladed Long Sword

whiskeyjack! Language! There are ladies present. And Wren.

magic missile: 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 3, 4, 3, 1) + 5 = 18

Yes. Yes. The women have delicate demeanors and dispositions. FieryLena must have been the head of a Women's Circle. She shows the firm rigors of leadership and directs the moral compass.

Bronin says this as he stands side by side with Whiskey and they beat on the Skumleader.

Whiskeyjack cocked his head back at Lena's words. "Wha'? Purse dogs is inappropria'? I never be understandin' ye li'le folk!"

Adder moves between Whiskey and the wall, lunging at the creature with this falchion.

Swift to Study, Move to Move, Standard to Attack.

Attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25
Damage: 2d4 + 20 ⇒ (4, 2) + 20 = 26

Wren looks at her wand, hoping that it still works well.

Lena and Wren both blast the creature with magic missiles while Wren's acid arrow fizzles away. The rest of the group move in to attack with Bronin missing and Adder scoring a beautiful hit.

The blinded skum lashes out as Adder connects with him but swipes mostly at the air until one claw manages to land on the slayer.

Adder takes 10 damage from blindy mcblindsalot. Everyone is up!

Round 5, Init 21

Wren fires at the big ugly.

”cawCAW!”

5d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 2, 3) + 5 = 18 force damage
28/50 charges left.

The wracking pains continue to take hold of the blinded skum, twisting and contorting it's insides. Elena's eyes look to be rolled into the back of her head as her body gives slight twitches.

Accursed Hex to use Agony on the caster Fort Save DC 20 to negate.

Whiskeyjack moved in and swatted at the creature with his hammer, keeping his shield high to protect Adder and Bronin. The shield jostled his arm, though, and his swing was not as accurate as he had expected. He barely managed not to hit Bronin.

attack,pa,df: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 12 - 2 + 3 = 14
damage,pa,df: 1d10 + 6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 4 + 3 = 20
intimidate: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Move, attack. SS+2 is up for Bronin

Adder waits to see where Bron moves, planning his attack accordingly.

Lena casts another magic missile, drawing power from deep inside to make it more effective.

magic missile: 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 2, 4) + 5 = 17 x1.5 = 25 damage

Bronin takes a sliding step diagonally (5 foot diag). to get into position. He wants to gut this thing before it gets off another spell.

There's some commotion behind him. The young girl that is about 45-50 feet behind him is..doing something. He's focused on the enemy but his peripheral is noticing the extra stuff. He doesn't see it well, but mentally ticks that Wren has also flown to the other side of the cave.
Bronin likes to be a field general, knowing what is happening both in front of him but also around him.
This group, is chaos.

So, he can't keep up with it all and he just swings at his enemy.

Bronin attacks!
Longsword: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
damage: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (6, 4) + 13 = 23

Short Sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Longsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
damage: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (3, 2) + 13 = 18

Short Sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Wow, all misses. 4 very low rolls. Maybe next round, because he was obviously distracted by trying to see all around him on the battlefield.

Ugh, had a beautiful long post that was eaten by the scheduled maintenance I failed to schedule for.

Two magic missiles take the skum cleric in the head and he flies back into the wall, dead instantly.

End of Combat

With the battle over, you take a moment to inspect the room a little more thoroughly. The walls are covered in two sets of carvings, one of which appear to have been done over the original set.

The huge statue in the middle is immediately arresting - a strange combination of fish, eel, and octopus. Surrounding it, the walls have been inlaid with shells and fishgold which could be quite valuable if pried off.

However, most interestingly is a pedestal in the corner, upon which is an interesting-looking warhammer with a head shaped like a raven. When detect magic is cast, it radiates strongly.

Wow, DC35. I can't make even with a 20

Adder pauses mid swing, prepared to flank with Bronin before the skum leader goes flying.

"Ah, fast fight."

Wren coos happily when the ugly foe is felled, feeling frisky.

”Oh dearies, that was a nice fight. It’s good when you listen to me...” Wren casts Detect Magic and begins a careful search of the area and magics therein.

”That one reminded me of this encounter I had in the sex...blahblahblah...pits of hunger...blahblahblah...two owlbears in a cage, we soon learnt that...blahblahblah...going at it like badgers...blahblahblah...never seen fur fly like that, let alone hooting...blahblahblah...couldn’t pry them apart...blahblahblah...like the jaws of a pit bull...blahblahblah...owlbear organ is designed...blahblahblah...and that’s why I don’t shave everywhere,” Wren explains.

1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 20 + 2 = 31 Religion
1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 20 + 2 = 27 Religion

1d20 + 20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 20 + 2 + 2 = 44 Spellcraft
1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 20 + 2 = 28 Religion

Wren explains the spoilers above. Even she is impressed with the find.

”Oh dearie! This is lovely! Have you seen this! WhiskeyJerk! Look!” She holds the warhammer out for W’Jack.

Wow. That is some sweet cheez. And a warhammer too.

Nice rolling there Wren!

Elena's eyes return to normal and she doesn't seem to have noticed anything different. She silently gasps at the size of the warhammer. "It is so big and looks so heavy!" She knows she probably wouldn't even be able to lift the hammer from the ground, and didn't plan on trying either.

Seeing Potpie wandering down south for more feed. Elena runs after him and shoves him back, but not before noticing a tunnel heading east. "Hey this goes further in over here!" She points.

Potpie's unnaturally large form seems to have made the chicken constantly hungry as his body digests what he had very quickly.

Whiskeyjack ooh-ed and aah-ed over teh loot with the rest, testing out the new warhammer by slamming it down onto the unholy symbol. He grinned as shard flew in every direction.

"I be reckonin' I ken be carryin' this one fer a bi'. Angradd an' th' Lady o' Graves be on friendly enough terms. An' this here hammer be great for whacking skeletons an' th' like, which Angradd hates almost as much as Pharasma does."

I'll take the hammer if no one else needs it

Adder voices approval at Whiskey's swing.

"Truly a powerful weapon, I'm sure it will serve you well."

You head southwards towards a T-intersection. You have the option to continue on straight, or take the left passage.

As Wren scouted this area, her recollection is the left passage was a room full of disembodied brains in jars. To the south was some kind of strange gross machinery the mi-go were using.

Wren indicates the party should take the left passage. Wren will watch the rear, keeping an eye for foes coming from area 7. She floats 15’ above the ground, if possible.

FYI guys I'm trying to recalibrate my postings to midday from work rather than in the evenings.

You push down the left passage, which was uninhabited if Wren recalls correctly.

In contrast to the other chambers in these tunnels, the straight walls and level floors of this rectangular room display clear signs
of worked stone. Strange copper and glass canisters are arranged along all four walls, sitting atop stone pedestals. More than half of the canisters hold disembodied brains suspended within some bluish fluid.

Elena slowly walks the perimeter of the room, carefully inspecting each of the glass canisters and brains. She doesn't want to know the answer, or maybe she already does but she asks anyways. "Are...are these the childrens?" She taps the glass of blue liquid.

She tries to tell what these are for or what is going on with the canisters of brains.

Knowledge: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Dungeoneering, Engineering, Geography, Nobility, Religion (+6)
Arcana, History, Nature, Planes (+9)
Local (+10)

No, they're not children. They're (ulp) brains.

Adder looks at the jars with disgust, then taps one with his sword.

"Whose brains?"