GM Tarondor's Ptolus Campaign

Game Master Tarondor

Silas and Dain lower Tilver down on a rope. The room is large and bare. The only other possible exit is a large circle on the floor covered with some sort of thin, fleshy, translucent membrane.

In one corner lies the heaped bones of a very large humanoid figure.

MAP OF PYTHONESS HOUSE

Ignore the dotted line. It is an artifact of the map, showing the room underneath.

"It's clear!" Tilver shouts up. He moves to examine the bones, holding up his lantern to shed more light on it.

Knowledge, Local: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 7 + (4) = 16

Anyone else?

Silas takes his time and climbs down to see what Tilver has found.

Take 10 to climb down.

Velika will follow Silas down the rope. Slowly.

Dain waves Holys and Velika to descend first. He waits until they have both gone down, then climbs down the rope with Magill clinging to his shoulder.

As Velika climbs, she considers, "Tilver, what do you think? Should we try to engineer something to keep the statue from moving back? A wedge of some sort?" If so, she'll try to convey their idea to Dain and Holys to implement before they climb down.

Know(Engineering): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Tilver looks up. He hadn't considered the statue moving back over the hole. "I guess that's smart. I can climb back up and try to wedge it open."

Once everyone is down, Tilver climbs back up to implement Velika's idea.

Knowledge, Engineering, aid: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 7 + (5) = 19

As the others consider the statue Silas sniffs around to see if anyone or anything unusual has been in the area recently.

Survival to Track fun smells: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

"Careful, now. Let me take a look around here."

Holys mutters an arcane phrase and his eyes light up as he scans the chamber, paying particular attention to the bones, for magic.

Casting Detect Magic and sweeping around the room. Will focus on anything detected for 3 rounds, unless something happens which stops him.

Aaaand that's when the pile of bones rises up! Like an avalanche in reverse, it towers up, forming the skeleton of a giant wielding a vast club.

Skeleton Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Holys Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Silas Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Tilver Initiative: 1d20 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 3 + (5) = 14
Velika Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Dain Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

INITIATIVE ORDER

Holys
Silas
Velika
Dain
Tilver
Skeleton

Good guys, go!

Holys moves to bless Tilver with Protection from Evil.

Key point being +2 Deflection bonus to AC if it is Evil, lasts 1 minute.

Spells remaining/total:
2nd (4/4)—scorching ray
1st (6/7)—burning hands (DC 17), mage armor , protection from evil, ray of enfeeblement (DC 15), vanish
0th (at will) —acid splash, arcane mark , detect magic , flare (DC 16), light, open/close (DC 14), prestidigitation, read magic, resistance

Silas shifts and dodges as he moves forward to prevent attacks and then lashes out at the skeleton with his falchion.

Acrobatics to prevent Attacks of Opportunity: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Falchion Attack with PA: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 2 = 15

Falchion Damage with PA: 2d4 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 3) + 6 + 6 = 19

Tilver shifts back and stabs at the giant skeleton.

Attack (PA): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Damage (PA): 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Assuming with his large size, he won't be provoking AOOs from me much

Velika draws her gun and shoots at the skeleton. The she will move back to the spot that Dain vacates.

Shoot with precise shot since he is in melee. Then 5' step W.
Double Pistol + PBS: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 1 = 26
Damage + PBS: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Dain calls upon the spirits to protect him from harm, then advances slowly towards the skeleton. Brandishing his spear, he positions himself between Holys and the skeleton.

Cast Shield of Faith on himself; Move: SE,E

Current AC = 20 (10 + 2 dex + 6 magic chain shirt + 2 Shield of Faith)

Silas - you avoid an AOO not because of your roll (which would have failed) but because the skeleton is flat-footed.

The giant effortlessly bats aside Silas and Tilver's attacks, like an adult fending off a pair of small children, but is rocked back by the force of Velika's bullet. It then moves wordlessly forward, its bones and armor clicking together and crushes Tilver down with its warclub, smashing him with the force of wild aurochs!

Target: 1d3 ⇒ 3
Giant warclub vs. Tilver: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 233d6 + 10 ⇒ (2, 2, 3) + 10 = 17

INITIATIVE ORDER

Holys
Silas
Velika
Dain (shield of faith +2 AC (total AC 20))
Tilver (protection from evil (+2 AC)) (17 damage)
Skeleton (9 damage)

Good guys, go!

Holys takes a step backward out of danger.

5-foot step; not sure any of my spells are useful here.

Velika feels her own breath whoosh out of her as the giant club slams into Tilver. Then she gathers it back in and begins to sing a rage-filled war chant. Then she reloads the chamber she just emptied.

Inspire Courage (round 1)

Inspire Courage: +1 competence bonus attack & weapon damage; +1 morale bonus save vs. charm & fear

Tilver steps back and tries to spear the skeleton again, using Silas on the other side as a distraction.

Attack (PA, IC, flank): 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 24
Damage (PA, IC): 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 = 15

As the giant skeleton lurches towards him, Dain stabs at it with his spear.

Spear attack + flanking + Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 11
spear damage + Inspire Courage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 1 = 11

Silas strikes out as hard as he can at the creature.

Falchion attack with PA and BS: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 14

Falchion Damage with PA and BS: 2d4 + 6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 6 + 6 + 1 = 18

Silas has an additional +2 to hit from flanking.

not sure any of my spells are useful here.

There is only one way to find out. Holys has a standard action left. Do you want to use it?

Not this round, we will see what happens next.

As Velika begins to sing of courage and old heroes, Tilver, Dain and Silas attack the giant as it waves its club, batting aside their efforts. Only Tilver manages to land a solid blow, and even then the giant is but little harmed by his spear which is ill suited to injuring a creature of bone.

Target: 1d3 ⇒ 1
Giant warclub vs. Silas: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 313d6 + 10 ⇒ (5, 3, 2) + 10 = 20

Again the defender of the catacombs sweeps its giant club in a whistling arc that this time ends by smashing Silas the litorian against the northern wall.

INITIATIVE ORDER
Holys
Silas (20 damage)
Velika
Dain (shield of faith +2 AC (total AC 20))
Tilver (protection from evil (+2 AC)) (17 damage)
Skeleton (16 damage)

Good guys, go!

Seeing Tilver's spear slide on the skeleton's bone, Velika pulls out her last scroll of Versatile Weapon. Continuing to sing, she weaves the scroll's spell into her song and casts it on Silas' falchion.

Velika will pull out the scroll as her move action and then use the scroll of Versatile Weapon to allow Silas' falchion to ignore damage reduction: bludgeoning

Inspire Courage (round 2)

Inspire Courage: +1 competence bonus attack & weapon damage; +1 morale bonus save vs. charm & fear

Dain steps towards Silas. Keeping a close eye on the skeleton's movements, he calls for the spirits to grant him healing.

Concetration check for Casting Defensively: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
CMW healing: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (6, 7) + 4 = 17

5' step:N; cast Cure Moderate Wounds on Silas

Silas roars and rage feels him as he tries to strike down the giant skeleton.

Rage and Power Attack. Current AC 21. Rage 1/11

Falchion Attack with Rage, PA, BS and counts as bludgeoning: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 - 2 + 1 = 29

Falchion Damage with Rage, PA, BS: 2d4 + 6 + 3 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 6 + 3 + 6 + 1 = 21

Critical Confirmation Falchion Attack with Rage, PA, BS and counts as bludgeoning: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 - 2 + 1 = 12

Critical Confirmation Falchion Damage with Rage, PA, BS: 2d4 + 6 + 3 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 4) + 6 + 3 + 6 + 1 = 24

Silas gets +2 from flanking as well.

Tilver attacks the skeleton again,hoping to chip away at the bones as best as his spear will allow.

Atttack (PA, IC, flank): 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 10
Damage (PA, IC): 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 = 11

Holys, you're up!

Holys attempts to burn the skeleton with an acid splash:

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Acid damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

As Velika chants a jaunty tune, Silas lands a solid blow with his newly-enchanted blade while Dain steps in and heals the Litorian of his worst wounds. Tilver struggles with the dangerous giant and Holys splashes some acid at the foe.

Target: 1d5 ⇒ 4
Giant warclub vs. Silas: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 333d6 + 10 ⇒ (5, 6, 1) + 10 = 22 Uh-oh...
Critical Hit Confirmation: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 253d6 + 10 ⇒ (6, 6, 2) + 10 = 24

The giant's warclub strikes Silas directly on the crown of the head with a sickening crunch. The big warrior falls bonelessly to the ground!

Again the defender of the catacombs sweeps its giant club in a whistling arc that this time ends by smashing Silas the litorian against the northern wall.

INITIATIVE ORDER
Holys
Silas (49 damage)(Silas is at -9 damage and dying)
Velika
Dain (shield of faith +2 AC (total AC 20))
Tilver (protection from evil (+2 AC)) (17 damage)
Skeleton (39 damage)

Good guys, go!

"Silas!" Tilver ducks and dives across the room towards the wall. "Holys, burn the s~@+ out of it!" The gladiator reaches the wall and slides to avoid the skeleton's club.

Acrobatics (Inspiration): 1d20 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (19) + 6 + (5) = 30

Holys shouts and attempts to burn the skeleton with a ray of fire.

Cast Scorching Ray:

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Fire damage: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 2, 6, 4) + 4 = 17 (4d6 base, +4 for Gold Draconic bloodline)

Spells remaining/total:
2nd (3/4)—scorching ray
1st (6/7)—burning hands (DC 17), mage armor , protection from evil, ray of enfeeblement (DC 15), vanish
0th (at will) —acid splash, arcane mark , detect magic , flare (DC 16), light, open/close (DC 14), prestidigitation, read magic, resistance

Looking at the map, Holys is in a threatened square, so will cast defensively.

Concentration: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 4 = 17 (+4 caster level, +4 CHA mod) vs DC 19 (=15+twice spell level)

Concentration is failed so spell fizzles.

Has Holys used his "true facts about Holys" rerolls yet?

Still singing, Velika concentrates as she attempts to cast Grease on the skeleton's club.

Inspire Courage (round 3)

Concentration+lvl+Chr: 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 3 = 9
Taking Dain's advice, I will use my last true fact reroll: Concentration+lvl+Chr: 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 3 = 22

Cast grease on the skeleton’s club. Reflex save DC 14 or drop the club, duration 4 min(D)

Inspire Courage: +1 competence bonus attack & weapon damage; +1 morale bonus save vs. charm & fear

Has Holys used his "true facts about Holys" rerolls yet?

No. Holys could burn one to reroll.

Silas lies there.

Con Check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Good catch! Let's try that reroll...

Concentration: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 4 = 24 (+4 caster level, +4 CHA mod) vs DC 19 (=15+twice spell level)

That's better! Spell goes off after all.

Dain would like to see the results of Velika's & Holys' actions before deciding what to do

Tilver dashes under the terrifying giant's blow, twisting to avoid the impact and reaching the wall. Meanwhile, Velika invokes an arcane phrase and the ether bubbles forth a thin slime of ectoplasm that coats the giant's warclub, causing it to shoot out of the giant's grip like wet soap and clatter onto the ground.

At the same time, Holys invokes his draconic heritage and blasts the giant with an intense gout of flame, singeing and blackening its ribcage.

INITIATIVE ORDER
Holys
Silas (49 damage)(Silas is at -9 damage but stable)
Velika
Dain (shield of faith +2 AC (total AC 20))
Tilver (protection from evil (+2 AC)) (17 damage)
Skeleton (56 damage)(disarmed)

Dain, go! Tilver, I believe you have a standard action left?

Tilver picks up Silas' Falchion, which still has Velika's enchantment on it.

Keeping a careful eye on the skeleton, Dain takes a step towards Tilver and calls forth more healing.

5' step: E; defensively cast Cure Moderate Wounds on Tilver

Concentration check for Casting Defensively: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
CMW healing: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (5, 2) + 4 = 11

Tilver, picking up an item will provoke an Attack of Opportunity. Do you wish to continue?

Sure. He's disarmed now, so let's chance it.

Skeleton AoO v. Tilver: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 161d8 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

The giant lashes out at Tilver, but the investigator twists away at the last second, the claws missing him by an inch. He seizes up Silas's ensorcelled blade while Dain invokes the power of the City to heal him.

Focused now on Tilver, the giant strikes again, this time smashing him squarely in the chest and knocking him back against the icy stone wall!

Skeleton Slam v. Tilver: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 271d8 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

INITIATIVE ORDER
Holys
Silas (49 damage)(Silas is at -9 damage but stable)
Velika
Dain (shield of faith +2 AC (total AC 20))
Tilver (protection from evil (+2 AC)) (12 damage)
Skeleton (56 damage)(disarmed)

Anyone, go!

Tilver brandishes the falchion and steps forward to strike at the skeleton.

Attack (PA, inspiration): 1d20 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (20) + 6 + (4) = 30
Damage (PA): 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (1, 3) + 7 = 11

Crit Confirm!!!: 1d20 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 6 + (5) = 19
Extra Damage: 2d4 + 7 ⇒ (3, 4) + 7 = 14

Nice! That definitely hits and crits.

Using Silas's weapon, Tilver slides under the sksleton's guard and delivers a resounding blow to the monster's ribs, smashing them like so much glass.

INITIATIVE ORDER
Holys
Silas (49 damage)(Silas is at -9 damage but stable)
Velika
Dain (shield of faith +2 AC (total AC 20))
Tilver (protection from evil (+2 AC)) (12 damage)
Skeleton (81 damage)(disarmed)

Velika, Holys, Dain, go!