GM SpiderBeard's Second Darkness (Inactive)

Game Master Barvo Delancy

Free action Swift action to activate Bane (Elf).

And by that, of course, I meant "swift action". ;-)

Sorry for no post yesterday I... have no excuse. Blame Mutt. Way to
go Mutt!

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Bite: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Threat: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

There's silence from back in the cave as the drow who was with the lizard waits for something. The drow at the front of the cave, meanwhile, start their counter-attack. Mutt gets a nasty slash from a rapier, and Variel gets bitten by the lizard.

Mutt takes 7 damage, and Variel takes 7 damage. Everyone but Variel is up!

Spiderbeard, could you clarify who the heck "Chmetugo," "Xakhin," and "Theyardlin" are? I see none of them are damaged, but it makes it a bit tricky to know whose going before and after by using their names, instead of their descriptions.

"Your demon has abandoned you, dark ones! You should take that as a sign, and surrender now!"

"Ah ain't buyin' it! If it ain't invisible, it's preparin' anudder attack! Stay on yer guard!"

Thaddeus, meanwhile, looks at the one drow, and spits a large, gummy loogie over the heads of Variel and Mutt, landing right on top of him.

MOVE: Shuffle over a little.
STANDARD: Spit the Adhesive Spittle at the Red Drow. Automatically hits. He is entangled, (-2 Atk, -4 Dex), and must make a Reflex Save (DC 15) or be glued to his current position.

Spittle duration: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4

Mutt frowns at the lizard as it continues to fight. He decides to switch targets after seeing Thaddeus try to pin the drow down. He swings at the creature!

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Roll for 20% Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 90

Bloodrage Stats: AC 14 (AC 16 vs evil creatures), touch 9 (11 vs evil creatures), flat-footed 14 (16 vs evil creatures); hp 55; Fort +8, Will +5; +2 vs attacks from evil creatures; Melee +1 greataxe +11 (1d12+6/x3) or masterwork cold iron warhammer +11 (1d8+5/x3) or masterwork handaxe +11 (1d6+5/x3) or throwing axe +10 (1d6+5/x2) or masterwork longsword +11 (1d8+5/19-20); Ranged throwing axe +5 (1d6+5/x2; 10 ft range); Str 20, Con 20; CMB +10; CMD 20; Skills Climb +12, Swim +9

Bloodrage active. 19/22 rounds left. Communal Protection from Evil 8/10 rounds left. 48/55 hp.

Round 4: Actions
No Action: 5' step forward
Standard Action: Smash the grey drow!

Fiona is rather relieved that the shadow demon decided to leave for now, and takes an opportunity to step into the darkness and smack the drow hiding within!

Smack *Heroism*: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 = 13
Damage?: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 5) + 4 = 14
Concealment?: 1d100 ⇒ 84

*sigh*

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

The drow yelps as he is entangled, and the yelp turns into a scream as Mutt buries his axe into him. Fiona's hammer makes a satisfying whoosh sound as she hits nothing.

Ellesbeth is up!

Ellesbeth moves a little closer to the fight, holding off to see how things continue or if a target presents itself. The demon does not yet present itself.

Variel is up!

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Lash Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
Lash Spellcraft: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

Um, there's no compass rose... which way is North on this map? That might affect how I respond.

For the sake of sanity, always assume north is the top of the map unless I state otherwise.

For the sake of sanity, always assume north is the top of the map unless I state otherwise.

Fair enough. That being the case...

The sound is coming from approximately G7.

Variel's ears perk up and he points past the elf next to Fiona. "I hear some sort of spellcasting coming from that chamber! Be prepared for more trouble!"

He then steps back and lashes his whip out at the drow near Mutt.

Swift to change Judgment to Destruction (+2 damage), 5' step, attack Red Drow.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 Damage: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 Concealment, 01-20 misses: 1d100 ⇒ 7

*sigh* At least I didn't waste another Bane ...

Variel's weapon is easily blocked by the drow. Fiona is pinked by a rapier, thankfully without little damage, and Mutt quickly blocks the attacks from the other drow and the lizard.

Fiona takes 2 damage. Everyone but Variel is up!

Noting for myself: Communal Pro Evil was cast on round 2, so will last until round 12.

Round 5: Actions
Standard Action: Smack the drow next to me!

Fiona grimaces as she gets pricked by the drow's rapier and swings her hammer again.

Attack *Heroism*: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 = 28
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 4) + 4 = 11

Concealment...?: 1d100 ⇒ 84

Totally forgot to use my move action ... if you'll allow a ret-con, Variel will use Combat Advice to give Mutt +2 on his next attack.

"Mutt, he favors his left side! Strike him on the right!"

Mutt listens to Variel's advice and swings at the right side of the drow!

Attack (combat advice): 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 2 = 27
Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Roll for 20% Concealment?: 1d100 ⇒ 15

Bloodrage Stats: AC 14 (AC 16 vs evil creatures), touch 9 (11 vs evil creatures), flat-footed 14 (16 vs evil creatures); hp 55; Fort +8, Will +5; +2 vs attacks from evil creatures; Melee +1 greataxe +11 (1d12+6/x3) or masterwork cold iron warhammer +11 (1d8+5/x3) or masterwork handaxe +11 (1d6+5/x3) or throwing axe +10 (1d6+5/x2) or masterwork longsword +11 (1d8+5/19-20); Ranged throwing axe +5 (1d6+5/x2; 10 ft range); Str 20, Con 20; CMB +10; CMD 20; Skills Climb +12, Swim +9

Bloodrage active. 18/22 rounds left. Communal Protection from Evil 7/10 rounds left. 48/55 hp.

Spiderbeard, don't forget that the Red Drow is entangled. And has taken 15 damage.

Thaddeus decides that the enemies are getting just a little too close for comfort, and takes steps to defend himself, along with drawing an item that may be useful soon.

STANDARD: Cast Mage Armour on myself.
MOVE: Draw dagger.

Ellesbeth hasn't posted in two weeks. I'll put her on GMPC and send a message if she hasn't posted by Monday.

Fiona and Mutt both strike their targets solidly, and Mutt manages to outright kill the entangled drow, sending him to the ground in a bloody heap. Thaddues casts a quick armour spell on himself.

Ellesbeth is up!

So I guess we've lost Ellesbeth, then?

Sorry for no post yesterday, ran out of time/was exhausted/no excuse. And yeah, I'll put Ellesbeth on GMPC for now.

Ellesbeth rushes up to the back of the group, cautious about the shadow demon vanishing and she quickly casts a protective spell on Mutt. This is not a moment too soon as Mutt suddenly feels a foreign presence attempt to control his body! Howeverm he manages to resist the spell.

Mutt's Will Save: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 2 = 22

Variel is up! Mutt gains 10 cold resistance.

With the passage into the other chamber blocked by another drow, Variel waits to see if Fiona can dispatch or move him. Taking advantage of the moment, he calls upon his goddess to heal his wounds, then glances up the narrow passage behind him. With a nod, he sends his familiar around the corner to scout.

Swift action to switch to judgment of Healing (fast healing 2), mvoe past Ellesbeth, then ready an action to attack any hostile creature that gets within 10'. Damage is now 5hp.

Lash Stealth: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22
Lash moves at half speed to avoid penalties to his stealth check; he will fly up to 20' down the northeast passage (but stop before exposing himself in another chamber) to see what is there before returning to report.

Mutt shakes his head, throwing off the foreign presence. He yells, "Guys! I felt something! Like something was trying to take control of my body!" He brings his mighty greataxe down on the lizard!

Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Roll for 20% Concealment?: 1d100 ⇒ 69

Bloodrage Stats: AC 14 (AC 16 vs evil creatures), touch 9 (11 vs evil creatures), flat-footed 14 (16 vs evil creatures); hp 55; Fort +8, Will +5; +2 vs attacks from evil creatures; cold resistance 10; Melee +1 greataxe +11 (1d12+6/x3) or masterwork cold iron warhammer +11 (1d8+5/x3) or masterwork handaxe +11 (1d6+5/x3) or throwing axe +10 (1d6+5/x2) or masterwork longsword +11 (1d8+5/19-20); Ranged throwing axe +5 (1d6+5/x2; 10 ft range); Str 20, Con 20; CMB +10; CMD 20; Skills Climb +12, Swim +9

Bloodrage active. 17/22 rounds left. Communal Protection from Evil 6/10 rounds left. 48/55 hp.

Lash flies up to the ceiling and starts creeping along. To the northeast the passage ends in what appears to be a fairly recent cave-in. However, there is also a solid door covered in spidery runes blocking the way southwards. However, Lash manages to peek in throuhg a crack in the cave-in. As he does so, everything goes silent and he cannot hear.

This large chamber rises to a height of roughly thirty feet near the center, where a very small hole acts as a natural skylight. Relatively quiet, with the constant crash of the ocean muffled by
solid stone, this cave seems an ideal lair. Moisture-slicked mildewing
tapestries and animal pelts cover nearly every inch of
the walls, indicating that at one time this chamber did
serve as home to some kind of creature.

Within the cave, he sees a ghostly figure in place. Rather than human, she has the head of a woman and a body between that of a woman and a hawk. Her face is beautiful and youthful, and she looks frustrated and is pacing back and forth silently. She spots Lash as he peer through a crack and she starts gesturing wildly to the northwest, and makes striking motions at the door.

==========
Back at the Fight
==========

The drow and monitor lizard give their best, but Mutt and Fiona easily avoid the attacks. In the back, the drow druid finally engages in the fight, and he starts casting a spell. He clutches a blue crystal in his hand that appears to be glowing.

Everyone but Variel is up! Map is updated with the new room Lash found.

Round 6: Actions
Standard Action: Smack the drow again!

Fiona growls in frustration and swings her hammer once more!

Attack *Heroism*: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 = 11
Concealment?: 1d100 ⇒ 22

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Do I need to wait for my turn to tell everyone what I noticed, or can this be done off turn? If it can:

Also, is there a knowledge check to identify the creature Lash describes to Variel when he returns?

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

MOVE: Maneuver around.

Thaddeus hears the chanting, and agrees with Variel. However, his attempt to maneuver around and see through the already darkened room to the druid prove quite difficult.

"Hard t'get a look at'em, Variel! Got a backup plan if he gets'er off, though!"

From Thaddeus' current position, can he see the elf druid?

Spellcraft and knowledge checks are free of charge! I'll roll the knowledge checks to push things along.

As Lash describes the hawk-lady, Variel identifies her as a siren. Sirens are island-bound magical creatures who are famous for their powerful song. They have a reputation for luring sailors to their lairs, although they are not evil or necessarily malicious. There was some sad story about a siren on Devil's Elbow, which Variel dimly recalls.

From Lash's descriptions, it's also clear that the siren is under a silence spell, likely caused by the rune-carved door.

Thaddeus whips up a magical snowball, and eyeing the druid who is partially covered, he sends it flying and smacks the druid straight in the head! The druid starts cursing in his language as his spell is ruined.

Ellesbeth peers down the passageway, and quickly casts a spell. The druid's cursing suddenly ceases entirely as he finds himself unable to speak! As the druid starts clutching at his throat, trying to figure out what has gone on, Ellesbeth's eyes go wide.

"Something just attacked me too!" she cries.

Variel is up!

Variel looks at the limited area near Ellesbeth and makes a decision. He drops his whip, then steps between her and Mutt, drawing his sword and waving it in front of him, trying to find the unseen foe.

So here's my thought: Because of Escape Route, Variel does not provoke AoO's moving through or adjacent to allies. I'm going to move two spaces south to the other side of Ellesbeth. Either I'll get there, or something will prevent me. If something stops me, I'll attack that square. If not, I'll end my movement, and attack the square south of Mutt. Either way, there is still the 50% miss chance. Spiderbeard, I'll need you to determine what square I end my movement in and move my token for me. At the end of the turn, regardless of anything else, Judgment of Healing heals another 2 damage.

Attack, longsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 Concealment, miss on 1: 1d2 ⇒ 2 Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Did my hammer swing kill my target?

Whoops, thanks Fiona - missed it in the update spam.

WHONK

Fiona's hammer cracks into the drow's face, but he manages - barely - to keep his footing. WIth a broken nose and teeth, he's obviously not long for this world.

Working in close tandem with his allies, Variel manages to step southwards and... does not encounter anything untoward or find any sign of the demon. He swings mightily, but connects with nothing.

The drow druid, seeing that his ingress into the room is blocked and that he's unable to cast spell, whips his already-cast fire at Fiona. She ducks the spell. The monitor lizard completely fails to bite Mutt, and the drow who just got his face smashed in withdraws backwards, sludging through Thaddeus' spell.

Everyone but Variel is up!

What is the grey circle in area G6?

What is the grey circle in area G6?

I believe that's a Zone of Silence.

Thaddeus congratulates himself for disrupting the druid's spell, but doesn't waste much time. There's still several threats to deal with.

Notably that large lizard that seems unscathed. Time to change that.

Thaddeus takes a quick step back away from it.

"Mutt! Get on the other side of 'dat scaly thing 'n surround it!"

With Fiona and Mutt double-teaming the lizard, hopefully it'll go down quickly. For now, Thaddeus sees the two drow preparing for another assault. He was kind of hoping to save this spell for bigger threats, but best stop them now before they do anything substantial. Or recover.

Thaddeus Casts Web defensively. DC 19 concentration check.

Concentration check: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

The area in the green circle is filled with webs. The drow inside must make Refles saves (DC 16) or are grappled. The webs are considered difficult terrain.

If they attempt to move, or they are grappled, they must make Combat Maneuver or Escape Artist checks against DC 16

The webs can be burned away. A person in the square of burning webs takes 2d4 fire damage. 1 square of webs can be burnt away in 1 round.

Finally, 5 feet of webs provides cover. 20 feet provides total cover.

Mutt nods at Thaddeus's words. He steps off to the side and swings again, using Fiona's position to his advantage.

Attack (bloodrage, flanking): 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 11 + 2 = 26
Damage (bloodrage): 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Roll for 20% Concealment?: 1d100 ⇒ 99

Bloodrage Stats: AC 14 (AC 16 vs evil creatures), touch 9 (11 vs evil creatures), flat-footed 14 (16 vs evil creatures); hp 55; Fort +8, Will +5; +2 vs attacks from evil creatures; cold resistance 10; Melee +1 greataxe +11 (1d12+6/x3) or masterwork cold iron warhammer +11 (1d8+5/x3) or masterwork handaxe +11 (1d6+5/x3) or throwing axe +10 (1d6+5/x2) or masterwork longsword +11 (1d8+5/19-20); Ranged throwing axe +5 (1d6+5/x2; 10 ft range); Str 20, Con 20; CMB +10; CMD 20; Skills Climb +12, Swim +9

Bloodrage active. 16/22 rounds left. Communal Protection from Evil 5/10 rounds left. 48/55 hp.

Sorry for no post yesterday. Back in action!

Thaddeus sends a web spell out to the west, and he hears a lot of what is probably cursing in drow as the druid is trapped by the web spell. The other, badly injured drow manages to jump out of the way of the worst of it. Meanwhile, Mutt manages to score a solid hit on the monitor lizard.

Fiona and Ellesbeth are up!

Round 7: Actions
Standard Action: Smash the drow! Smash' em!

Fiona is starting to look impressed by the drow's tenacity, and swings her hammer once more!

Attack *Heroism*: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 = 9
Concealment?: 1d100 ⇒ 81

Err... There's no Drow within hammer range, Fiona. All the drow have retreated into the other room, currently filled with webs. Did you just want to use that attack roll on the lizard?

Oh. Okay then, sure.

Sorry for sparse posting guys. I'll be back in tomorrow. In the middle of transition to Christmas vacation so it's causing some chaos.

Fiona whacks the monitor lizard but good with her earthbreaker, almost killing the creature! There's a pause as everyone waits for another attack, but nothing happens.

Variel is up!

Variel looks at the webs then asks, "Does anyone have any fire handy?"

He then steps up and takes a swipe at the lizard.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

At the end of his turn, Variel heals another 2 points.

As a note, I was unable to ascertain how spells like web affect incorporeal creatrues. The best I could find is there was a 50% chance of it working every round, so going with that.

There's a satisfying crunch, and a wail of dismay from the drow trapped in the webs as Variel puts an end to the monitor lizard.

Shockingly, there's a sudden violent thrashing in the web. The form of the shadow demon is then seen as it tries to move within the web and finds itself stuck! It tries to struggle free, but fails to do so.

Everyone but Variel is up! The shadow demon is now on the map.

Mutt hears Variel's question and grins. "I have a lot of fire." He then wades into the web covered passageway, using his body to try and prevent from getting stuck.

Combat Maneuver checka as part of move action to prevent getting stuck (DC 16): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

He easily manages to get to the entrance of passage. He looks to see the enemies caught in the webs. He then angles himself and allows his hands to start a blaze. He then releases it, a torrent of fire, burning both foe and web.

Standard action to cast burning hands. The stars indicate the shape of the full cone. If that shape doesn't work, then I can adjust so that I'm one square west and keep the same shape.

Burning Hands: 5d4 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 4, 3) = 13

I'm rolling it at character level is equal to my caster level. If it's more, let me know. Also, creatures in flaming webs take 2d4 fire damage. Don't know if this damage stacks together.

Bloodrage active. 15/22 rounds left. Communal Protection from Evil 4/10 rounds left. 48/55 hp.

"Does anyone have any fire handy?"

"Told'ja guys t'grab some Firebombs 'fore we left! Did'ja even listen?"

Shockingly, there's a sudden violent thrashing in the web. The form of the shadow demon is then seen as it tries to move within the web and finds itself stuck! It tries to struggle free, but fails to do so.

"Knew that shadowy bastard was jus' hidin!"

Thaddeus decides to clear out the muck that's now blocking his allies as much as their foes. While the oddities of magical effects means he can't simply dismiss the muck, he does have a workaround.

STANDARD: Conjure another Swamp's Grasp, thus meaning the first one disappears.

MOVE: Procure vial of Alchemist's Fire.

=====

Mutt, can you conjure Burning Hands without vocal components? Remember the black circle is the aura of a Silence effect.

Yes. I can use somatic components.

Yes. I can use somatic components.

Burning hands requires both Verbal and Somatic, unfortunately. Is there a way to cast the spell outside the Silence area, and just have the flames work their way back through the web to the targets?

Well, if I'm at the diagonal spaces from the entrance, then I wouldn't be able to get a good angle to hit the bad guys. If I could get to Fiona's spot, then I could form the cone in a 1-3-3 shape and hit one of the targets. My question is if one square of the webs were set on fire, does it spread to the entire area of webs? My assumption is no.

Thaddeus' swampy bit of terrain vanishes as Mutt scampers up to try and cast a burning hands spell.

I'll let Mutt and Fiona figure out their dance so that he can cast a burning hands spell since Fiona still has an action. Ellesbeth can also use her round to cancel the silence spell if you want. Lemme know.

Round 8: Actions
Standard Action: Cast CLW on myself

Fiona watches Mutt charge forward, and she takes the opportunity to heal her wounds.

CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Well that's been long enough.

Fiona stays in place, blocking Mutt from getting a good line to cast his spell. Unable to cast, Mutt holds his action. The shadow demon suddenly slips thorugh the webs, and vanishes into the floor. A second later, it appears beside Fiona and Variel, and it begins attacking! Fiona feels a chilling cold as she is wounded.

Fiona takes 5 damage. Mutt and Variel are up!