GM Tarondor's Emerald Spire Campaign

Game Master Tarondor

"Right then...I'll go first."

Wymond couches his bardiche by his armpit and pushes on the door with both hands.

Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Marcel moves to the back and lets the others lead on.

Beyond lies a room split in half by a running stream. Two bridges lead over the stream and each is guarded by a serpent-man gripping tight a shortbow made of hide and horn. Clearly alerted by the fight with the phantom serpents, they are on their guard. However, Nycholas and Lilika are faster.

Lilika Perception : 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24
Marcel Perception : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Nycholas Perception : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 +2 Initiative.
Wymond Perception : 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
RED Perception : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
ORANGE Perception : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

STATUS
Nycholas
Lilika
ORANGE
Marcel
RED
Wymond

Nicholas, Lilika, go!

Unable to see a thing from her place in line, Lilika pulls out the wand she was given and taps Nycholas with it.

Casting longstrider on Nycholas (+10-ft. speed for 8 hours).

Nycholas also can't see much from where he is, so he prepares for combat with protective magics and transforms his greatsword into a polearm with greater reach.

Cast ◆ Shield. Enter ◆ Arcane Cascade. Activate ◆ the Shifting Property on Nycholas' weapon to change it into a glaive
@Lilika: I already have a Longstrider Wand for Nycholas! It's personal range only spell, or else I would have got one for everyone, but it's on the Druid spell list so you can cast from the wand onto yourself =)

Yes, it is! Lilika's super fast. (Unlike me! lol)

"Huh. Fancy trick!" Wymond comments on seeing the shapeshifting weapon.

Lilika, what Nyc is saying is that you can't cast that on him. Only yourself. What else would you like to do?

Yeah, my last post meant: yes, I acknowledge and understand my error, nice spot Nyc, she's cast it on herself then and is super fast.

Seeing only Marcel in the doorway, the serpent-men utters a fierce cry and fires its shortbow. One arrow grazes his shoulder.

Orange shortbow v. Marcel w/ cover: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 291d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 plus1d4 ⇒ 2 and possible Enfeebled 1. Hit.

Orange shortbow v. Marcel w/ cover: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 201d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 plus1d4 ⇒ 1 and possible Enfeebled 1. Miss.

Orange shortbow v. Marcel w/ cover: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 11d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 plus1d4 ⇒ 1 and possible Enfeebled 1. Miss.

STATUS
Nycholas
Lilika - Longstrider
ORANGE
Marcel - 65/72 hp (poisoned?)
RED
Wymond

Marcel, give me a DC 19 Fortitude save to avoid being Enfeebled 1. Then go!

Anyone! Give me a Fort save and orders for Marcel!

Fortitude: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31 Critical success...Woot!

Marcel decides the others can mainly handle this. He casts Haste on Wymond to let him get reach the archers faster and then beats a hasty retreat.

Cast Haste on Wymond x2, Stride.

Red readies an action.
Wymond, Nycholas and Lilika, go!

Nycholas advances. Upon rounding the corner he sees two enemies, and decides to use his longer legs to engage the furthest one, leaving the closer one for Wymond.

Stride ◆◆ 55'. Strike ◆ Snekman.
Strike: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20
S Damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 6 = 12 Plus 2 Force damage.

Reaction: AoO
AoO: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24
S Damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (5, 1) + 6 = 12 Plus 2 Force damage.

Wymond marches up towards the closer snake-man and looks him in the eyes, glaring sternly.

"Do yer worst!" he says.

Action 1: Stride
Action 2: Demoralize
Intimidation (T): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Then, invigorated by Marcel's magic, he strikes at them, ready to eat whatever attack they had readied for him.

Action 3+4: Strike x2

Strike (1): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 292d10 + 4 ⇒ (5, 10) + 4 = 19
Strike (2): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 202d10 + 4 ⇒ (5, 4) + 4 = 13

Marcel invokes a field of celerity and acceleration around his companion, Wymond!

RED takes his readied action...

As Nycholas enters the chamber, RED fires his bow at the magus.

Shortbow v. Nycholas: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 271d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 plus venom

The arrow grazes Nycholas's neck, leaving a trace of blood...and venom.

Then Nycholas blazes up to ORANGE and swings. The serpent-man deflects Nycholas's greatsword with his bow, but the magus springs around, hitting the snake-man with his backhand, drawing a pale red cut across his torso that weeps blood.

Wymond follows up, also moving swiftly, and after shouting at them in a language the serpent-men cannot understand, cuts low with his huge blade, bruising RED badly.

STATUS
Nycholas 96/96 hp
Lilika - Longstrider
ORANGE - 14 damage
Marcel - 65/72 hp (poisoned?)
RED - 19 damage
Wymond - Hasted

Nycholas, give me a DC 19 fort save vs. poison!

Anyone, give me orders for Lilika!

Lilika moves forward and then sends an acid blast at Red.

Acid Splash: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

Acid Splash Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Fort: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

Lilika blasts the serpent-man with acid, which sizzles and pops as it eats at its flesh, leaving an acrid tang in the air.

The serpent-man on the far bridge drops his bow and draws his scimitar, causing Nycholas to bring down a crushing blow across the scaly creature's shoulder. Badly injured, the creature simply runs through the door to the west, hissing in pain!

Nycholas AoO: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 242d8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 7) + 6 = 14 plus 2 Force damage

STATUS
Nycholas 96/96 hp
Lilika - Longstrider
ORANGE - 30 damage (fleeing)
Marcel - 65/72 hp
RED - 28 damage
Wymond - Hasted

Marcel, go!

Marcel moves forward and raises his shield.

I have to just double move to see him, so I will just raise my shield and stop behind Lilika.

Seeing his companion flee, red serpent-man also abandons its post, fleeing to the doorway, then firing at Nycholas. The magus easily dodges the poorly-aimed dart.

Red shortbow v. Nycholas: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 141d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 plus 1d4 ⇒ 3 and possible Enfeebled 1. Miss!

STATUS
Nycholas 96/96 hp
Lilika - Longstrider
ORANGE - 30 damage (fleeing)
Marcel - 65/72 hp
RED - 28 damage
Wymond - Hasted

Everyone, go!

"Oh, bloody 'ell!" Wymond grouses as his opponent flees. He charges after them. "GET BACK 'ERE YE WANKER!" he bellows.

Taking 2 Stride actions

Bolstered by Marcel's spell, he sprints after them and easily catches up, and strikes at the monster, hoping to take them down in their retreat!

Gonna do 2 Strikes next, haste my beloved!

Strike 1!: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 292d10 + 4 ⇒ (7, 7) + 4 = 18
Strike 2!: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 302d10 + 4 ⇒ (5, 6) + 4 = 15

Marcel moves to follow Wymond and the fleeing serpent-man. Seeing them he casts Daze to stun the fleeing creature.

Basic Will Save DC 25: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Stride, Cast Daze. If the serpent-man critically fails he is Stunned 1.

Wymond chases after the serpent-man with his magically-enhanced speed and rams his halberd's awl-spike into the creature's belly, killing it instantly.

Anyone, give me orders for Nycholas and Lilika. Marcel can change orders if he wishes.

Marcel will move forward behind Wymond and raise his shield. Lilika moves forward but stays back away from the corner because she can't do anything if she went around the corner. Nycholas moves 7 squares to that point and will continue his move if he can to reach the lizardman. If he can do it as a double move he will take the spoiler attack below.

The whole group moves forward with Marcel and Lilika staying behind Wymond while Nycholas races around the corner to try and catch the last lizardman.

This large chamber has a pit at its center, edged by a narrow walkway. The pit is awash with serpents that fill the chamber with a hissing chorus. Four stone statues of giant serpentfolk holding out long glaives stand in shallow alcoves in each corner of the room.

The two serpentfolk who fled from the last encounter are here, along with a third who seems more bestial and hardy than the other two.

Orange casts a spell, summoning three illusory images that shift and weave about him, making it difficult to tell where the actual foe is. He then fires off a shot with his shortbow which grazes Nycholas's arm.

Blue Initiative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Shortbow v. Nycholas: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 261d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 plus venom

Nycholas Fort save v. Venom: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30 Critical Success!

The other two Serpent folk stand ready for violence. Readied actions.

STATUS
Nycholas 90/96 hp
Lilika - Longstrider
Marcel - 65/72 hp
Wymond - Hasted
ORANGE - 30 damage (Mirror Image: 3)
RED - 28 damage (no bow)
BLUE -

Everyone, go!

Marcel moves forward and casts Sound Burst on the two lizardmen across the way.

Stride, Cast Soundburst x2.

Sound Burst Fortitude DC 25: 2d10 ⇒ (3, 7) = 10

Nycholas' stony skin absorbs most all of the damage and poison from the arrows that manage to bypass his enchanted plate armor. The primal magic that lengthens his stride surges and he leaps across the snake pit, bypassing the pit of writhing wigglies and bringing his glaive down on the somewhat uglier new snakeman, discharging the the toxins absorbed by his protective magics through his weapon, leaving the new snake and his ally with a chemical burn.

Cast ◆ Jump and Jump 30'. Spellstrike (Somatic, Verbal) ◆◆ with Acid Splash (4th Level)
Spellstrike vs Blue: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35
S Damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 7) + 6 = 14 PLUS 2 Force
Acid Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 PLUS 1 Acid Splash Damage.
Possible Crit: 1d8 ⇒ 2

So, 14 Slashing Damage + 2 Force + 9 Acid for a total of 25 damage. 50 + 2 (Deadly D8) + 2 persistent Acid damage if it's a crit.

Orange save v. Sound Burst: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 Failure. Full damage, deaftened 1 rd.
Blue save v. Sound Burst: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27 Success. Half damage.

Statue Trap Shove v. Nycholas: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Marcel blasts two of the serpent men with tremendous trumpeting and sound. Nycholas tries to hurry forward, but Orange pulls a lever on the wall (readied action) and suddenly the four statues in the corners shoot forward and sweep their halberds in an effort to knock anyone between them into the snake pit. Nycholas easily ducks under this blow, but is still blocked in his forward movement by the statue.

STATUS
Nycholas 90/96 hp
Lilika - Longstrider
Marcel - 65/72 hp
Wymond - Hasted
ORANGE - 40 damage (Mirror Image: 3), deafened 1 rd.
RED - 28 damage (no bow)
BLUE - 5 damage

Nycholas, you can apply that attack to the statue if you wish. Or else you can spend two actions any way you like.

Wymond and Lilika, go!

Wymond tromps past Lilika and Marcel into the room, just in time to see their enemies activate the statues.

"So that's the trick, eh? he says to himself.

1: Stride

Are the statues still blocking, meaning I'd have to either use a ranged attack or try to batter past them (or wait for the snake-men to pull the lever the other way, but I doubt they'll want to open themselves up to Wymond comming around to get them)?

Oof. I missed Nycholas's Jump spell. So here's what I'm gonna do. Nyc makes the jump and slashes blue. When Wymond runs in, Blue throws the switch, but it fails to shove Wymond. Okay?

That sounds fine, I guess? I take it I still have to break the statues to make a path for myself? I COULD get out my bow and use it, but it wouldn't be very efficient.

Lilika comes around the corner and casts a spell, sending an arrow of acid flying at the blue foe across the way. 4th level acid arrow.

Spell Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34
Acid Damage: 5d8 ⇒ (4, 5, 1, 4, 1) = 15 (Or 30 if this is a critical hit).
Plus 2d6 persistent acid damage. This persistent damage is NOT doubled on a critical hit.

Wymond slides his bardiche into a leather loop on his backpack, and draws his mace instead. He needed to get these statues out of the way to pass.

2: Interact, sheathe bardiche.
3: Interact, draw mace.
4: Step to current position.

I take it I still have to break the statues to make a path for myself?

There might be multiple ways to deal with the statues. Breaking them is one way that Wymond is probably good at.

Marcel leaps across the snake pit, lancing his blade into Blue's chest, leaving him with a deep wound seeping with acid.

Blue throws the switch that causes the statues to slide out of their niches and attack Wymond, their blows ringing off his bardiche.

An instant later, Lilika blasts the same serpent-man with a bolt of acid that burns its way into his chest, killing him in slow, painful seconds!

Wymond changes weapons and addresses the statues.

There is no Orange. Wymond previously killed him and I forgot to remove him.

Seeing this destruction, RED continues to flee into the temple complex, shouting for help!

The statues retract into their niches and the pit still writhes with snakes. Your way is clear to the south.

STATUS
Nycholas 90/96 hp
Lilika - Longstrider
Marcel - 65/72 hp
Wymond - Hasted
RED - 28 damage (no bow)

Everyone, go!

Seeing the foes continue to retreat, Wymond decides against banging on the statues, instead rejoining the rest of the group and making their way after the lone survivor!

"Come on, Triath!" he calls, and the pig dutifully follows.

Stride x2, Command Triath.

Once he realizes he's come to another crossroads, he casts his eyes about to see which way RED might have run, and make sure there aren't any nasty surprises awaiting him.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

Nycholas runs after the dwarf whom is running after a snake, preparing to defend himself from the inevitable ambush.

Cast ◆ Shield. Move ◆◆ 40' If Nycholas can see the fleeing snek once he gets to the intersection, he'll use the remainder of the move speed (30') to go after it. Nycholas will use the Sheild Block Reaction if something like a trap attacks him at the intersection, or use the Recognize Spell Reaction of a spell targets him.

Lilika and Marcel hurry after the others, squishing past them and into the hall to avoid standing where the dangerous statues could reach—just in case of reactivation.

Lilika raises her shield. And Marcel casts shield.

Like the others, they take a glance around, not sure which way their foe has fled...

Lilika: Stride, Stride, Raise Shield.
Marcel (Botting): Stride, Stride, Cast Shield.

They've no actions left to literally look around, but if we hit another round or they have time, they'll do so. Including Perception rolls in spoilers since they're unlikely to be needed.

I just realized the map was upside down. North is now at the top.

The four of you race into the hallway only to find a hallway. A short flight of stairs to the east leads down to a doorway and an alcove containing a statue of a robed serpentfolk priest with its hand raised in warning. On the wall at the top of the stairs, the image of a coiling serpent is carved in the stone. To the west is a doorway leading north, after which the passage continues west.

You can't see the fleeing snake-man, but you can see that the two doors to the north are shut, but you didn't hear a door shut.

Sounds echo in the distance, something low and almost inaudible, like a murmur of voices. Elsewhere a pitiable and muffled shriek rends the silence.

Wymond looks at the others with a raised eyebrow.

"Ye think that was our runner gettin' shanked by his own fellow cultists or someone else?" he asks. "Either way, I reckon we oughta check that out now we ain't chasing someone an' can move more careful-like. If they got a prisoner or somethin' we oughta rescue 'em."

"You prefer hallway before doors, then?" Lilika confirms. She eyes the doors, clearly curious, but shrugs. "Mystery scream it is."

Sounds like the scream and serpent folk both were hall, not doors by our (PCs) estimation? So heading that way. I also assume Wymond or Nyc wants to lead the way and Lilika and Marcel don't.

If we're in initiative still, Lilika and Marcel Stride toward the hall and then act based on what they see. If we're in exploration mode, they do the same, but Lilika's taking Defend (so she can start with her shield raised) and Marcel's taking Repeat a Spell (shield; so he can start with shield cast).

Lilika leads the way, rounding a bend. The passageway opens up to reveal a large statue of a snake facing a wide corridor to the north that ends in a pair of golden doors covered in a twisting serpent pattern.

But in front of those doors are three serpent-men, including the one you recently fought!

"Unbelieverssss! Leave thiss holy place or die!" says the nearest one, brandishing a scimitar in Lilika's direction.

"Will do," Lilika deadpans, as she ducks back around the corner. "Found them."

If anyone wants to try chatting with them, now's your chance. But Lilika's ready to roll initiative otherwise.

Marcel follows along behind the others as they pursue the serpent-men. "I will say, they are confident. Even as they flee before us." Marcel notes to the others after hearing the serpent-man speak from around the corner.

I appear to be in front of the fighters at the moment. That works for now, but generally, I expect that Wymond and Nycholas probably prefer to be closer to the front and Marcel is cool with that. Marcel has little to add to their conversation, but its nice to have the chance.

Wymond switches back to his bardiche.

Interact: Stow Mace.
Interact: Draw Bardiche.

Then he tromps to the front of the group and rounds the corner, his bardiche raised defensively.

Stride.

Two questions, one is the haste still active? And two, did Wymond hear what they yelled at Lilika, as it may impact what he says next?

Haste is gone. It only lasts one minute. Yes, you heard him. He was shouting.

Thanks! :)

"Yer blasted idol thing by the stairs teleportaled us in 'ere!" Wymond says, annoyance clear in his voice. "We don't know HOW to leave yer holy place!"

A budding look of sympathy utterly fails to materialize in the serpent-guardian's eyes.

"Then you will die!" he roars, and moves to the attack!

Lilika Perception : 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33
Marcel Perception : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Nycholas Perception : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 +2 Initiative.
Wymond Perception : 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Serpentfolk : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

STATUS
Lilika - Longstrider
Nycholas 90/96 hp
RED -
Wymond -
Marcel - 65/72 hp
ORANGE -
PINK -
RED - 28 damage (no bow)

Everyone, go!

Nycholas moves up, transforming his glaive back into a greatsword so he and Wymond can work in tandem in the confined hallway. "I'm just looking for my friend, Chaid. Have you seen her?" He asks rather casually, while slicing at one of the sneks.

Activate Shifting Weapon Rune ◆ to transform the glaive back into a greatsword. Stride ◆ 25'. Strike ◆ Orange

Greatsword vs Orange: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31
S Damage: 2d12 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 = 11