GM Tektite's #02-26 The Mantis's Prey (Inactive)

Game Master Hawkwen Agricola

Hathorne tumbles past the assassin, coming up from a roll and chopping the Red Mantis with his glaive, silencing the person.

Sorry Gina, he's a goner. Moving to the next one?

The three remaining men try to attack Hawthorne.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Crit Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Party up!

Let me know what you want to do Gina.

MAP

Gina shrugs and says, "Oh well. No point in keeping the rest of them alive. Doubt they know anything."

Move up to the closest enemy and Attack once.

Scimitar Attack 1: 1d20 + 17 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 17 + 1 - 3 = 29 Haste, Power Attack
damage: 1d6 + 11 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 6 = 18

Noble will move up and attack #3, smashing him with a forearm. I forgot to add the bonus from haste to my attack rolls so I'll do that now.

Bam!: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

1d8 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25

"That's the spirit! Now you're getting it!"

Mr. K will 5ft step up, and nonchalantly snap his fingers, sending a force bolt at number 2 for 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 damage. Mr. K will then roll his flaming sphere onto number 2 for 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 5, 2) + 4 = 15 damage. Reflex DC 20 negates.

If targets go down part way through feel free to change to targets that are still up."

Hawthorne moves (provoking from #s 1 & 2, AC 24) and introduces #2 to his glaive using Power Attack, Furious Focus, and Vital Strike.

attack: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 15 + 2 + 1 = 27
damage: 2d10 + 14 ⇒ (6, 10) + 14 = 30

Ref: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Mr. K directs the ball of flame over to another man, burning him badly.

Gina flits over and slices a man with her scimitar, the man falls to the ground.

AoO vs Hawthorne: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Hawthorne rushes past the men, getting cut with a short sword for his efforts. He spins around and chops the offending man with his glaive.

Noble steps up and throws a forearm into the windpipe of the other man, the gasping after the attack.

Attack vs Noble: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Attack vs Noble: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Attack vs Noble: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Attack vs Noble: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The two remaining men attack Noble, but are too injured to hit their mark.

Party up!

MAP

Mr. K will nonchalantly stroll up another 5ft while redirecting the flaming sphere again.

Force Missile: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Flaming Sphere: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1, 3) + 4 = 10 Ref DC 20.

"That seemed a bit too easy, did it not?"

Noble blocks the various attacks on his person and counters with elbow strikes of his own.

1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21

1d8 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27

1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35

1d8 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26

1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32

1d8 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

1d8 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Mr K rolls his flaming sphere over the next man and he falls as his begins to burn. Flaming Sphere was enough, keep the Force Missile

Noble unleashes another series of punishing blows on the remaining man, he too goes down.

Out of Combat

Searching the bodies, you find;

Red Mantis Bodies (x3):
assisting glove*, potion of bull strength, potion of
heroism, mithral shirt, masterwork daggers (2),
masterwork sawtooth sabres** (2), cloak of resistance +1, Red
Mantis outfit with a nonmagical Red Mantis mask.

Enforcers (x6):
potion of cure serious wounds, chain shirt, masterwork heavy steel shield, daggers (2), masterwork short sword.

All of the potions remain. I retconed a little after considering RAW tactics.

"Well done, lets gather up the stuff an deal with the cave while our magic still runs strong and before any of their friends show up."

"Yea." Noble starts looting. "Where do we go now?"

Where is the cave that I saw? Is it above us?

Yep, just above you on the combat map, with the little triangles.

Hawthorne will retrieve his bow and restow his glaive. Are we all set then? I have a wand if people need healing.

When we're all set to proceed, Hawthorne will take point and take 10 on Perception (have Trapspotter) for 27.

"I'm fine, let's keep moving." Noble will hold onto the potion of heroism.

Moving into the open cavern, the party sees that this airy cavern opens to the outside, providing a breathtaking view of the raging falls plummeting into the pool far below. Four strange contraptions crafted from a black gossamer fabric line the cavern walls. Two more have been unfolded into pairs of triangular, bodiless wings and set at the edge of
the cliff.

MAP

"Hmmm. I think I'll need to take one of these back. These look important to them. We should probably sabotage the rest.

[ooc]Are they small enough to take with me? I'm guessing they are some type of glider?[/b]

Each air glissade weighs 5 pounds, and is easily transported with one hand or strapped to a backpack when it is folded. Check!

We take the time to trash the remaining gliders. Also, Gina will cast Message on everyone so we have a relatively quiet way to communicate to each other.

Ok, there is a large hall up ahead with several Red Mantis remaining. There is a chance the waterfall masked our sounds from the battle, so hopefully they'll have no idea that we are here. Hopefully, we can take them by surprise too. Lets go.

--------

We'll try to sneak into the hall, with Hawthorne in front looking for traps. I'll use message to aid everyone's stealth checks (telling them to watch out for loose rubble, etc.)

The party stealthily sidles down the cavern. As they near a bend, they see a hole with a ladder going down.

Continuing to the hall with the baddies or stopping to explore?

Continue down the hall. We know there are baddies in the great hall with the cages. I think we want to try to get the jump on them

Yea, I'm good with the ambush plan.

Agreed.

I have the maps updated. At the moment, consider yourselves in the position on the general map. Let me know what your plans are and as you move down the steps, I'll need a Stealth roll.

General Map

Combat Map

Bah, I forgot to replace my invisibility sphere scroll after last time I used it. I think we should definitely continue straight in to keep the buffs up.

Mr. K nods towards the great hall and moves forward as quietly as possible.

stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

I auto-aid Mr. K's stealth, so its a 17 stealth roll.

Since they had a potion of heroism, I may as well drink one.

I auto-aid Mr. K's stealth, so its a 17 stealth roll.

Hawthorne will do the same, giving him a 19.

Meanwhile he'll take 10 on his own check for a 24.

# 1 & 2 Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25
the rest Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Initiative:
Mr K
Noble
Gina
Red Mantis
Hawthorne

Just to help things along, here are the Perception checks against your Stealth. If you can beat those, post a surprise action. Otherwise we'll move into normal rounds after the Mantis make their moves.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18
EDIT: Evidently too busy telling Mr. K he's not being quiet enough! LOL

Mr. K will move up and throw a black tentacles on the further group.

CMB: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Err I just re-read the post, about the Mantis going first. I'll still throw a crappy black tentacles, the exact area may change depending on what they do/where they go.

Well, so much for surprise.

Cast haste, then move up to engage the nearest opponent.

The Mantis looks up as they hear the party come down the steps. The three furthest move toward the base of the stairs, while the other three also move to the base of the stairs and throw daggers at Hawthorne and Noble.

Attack vs Noble: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Attack vs Hawthorne: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

One dagger sinks into the arm of Hawthorne.

Mr K. moves down the stairs, intoning arcane syllables. Suddenly the underneath the Mantis sprouts black tentacles. The tentacles fail to grabs any of the assassins. (Let me know or draw where the new radius of BT is.)

Gina casts a spell and moves toward the fray. (Let me know or moves yourself where you want to be placed.)

Initiative:
Mr K
Noble
Gina
Red Mantis
Hawthorne

Noble!

MAP

new BT drawn

Noble makes his way down the stairs and delivers a a quick kick to #2.

1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

1d8 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20

Noble comes barreling down the stairs and puts a well placed kick one of the Mantis' face. He feel a satisfying crunch as he breaks the assassins nose.

The assassins then swarm Noble and Gina.

Mantis 1 vs Gina: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Mantis 2 vs Gina: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Mantis 2 vs Gina: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Mantis 3 vs Gina: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Mantis 3 vs Gina: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Mantis 4 vs Noble: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Mantis 4 vs Noble: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Mantis 5 vs Noble: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Mantis 6 vs Noble: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Mantis 3 Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Crit Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Under a flurry of slicing blades, only one is able to slide under Gina's guard, cutting open her arm as she parried.

Hawthorne, then party up!

MAP

Posting a little bit early to help avoid delays

Black Tentacles: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

After Hawthorne goes Mr. K will cast haste. Hopefully on everybody, but excluding himself if necessary to get everybody else.

I think Gina already cast haste.

Hawthorne draws his glaive on the move and attacks #6 (higher ground) using Power Attack, Furious Focus, and Vital Strike.
attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35
damage: 2d10 + 14 ⇒ (9, 2) + 14 = 25

Crit threat due to keen edge! w00t!

confirm: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28
x3 damage: 1d10 + 1d10 + 14 + 14 ⇒ (9) + (1) + 14 + 14 = 38
Hmm...does Vital Strike multiply?

I thought Gina's haste was from the previous combat and was gone by now. Vital strike does not multiply on a crit unfortunately. If haste is already up I will just magic missile one for 4d4 + 8 ⇒ (3, 4, 4, 3) + 8 = 22

Okay, so with no multiple on Vital Strike, that's 63 points on #6.

Noble will start flurrying with #3 then to #2 if #3 drops.

1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33

1d8 + 19 ⇒ (4) + 19 = 23

1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30

1d8 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25

1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

1d8 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

1d8 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22

Hawthorne levels a wicked slice and takes down one of the Mantis.

Mr. K sends a volley of missiles into the Mantis in front of Noble (#2)

Noble attacks with a series of furious blows, taking down another Mantis and injuring another.

Gina attacks the Mantis to the side of her.

Scimitar Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 17 + 1 + 2 = 35
Damage: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Scimitar Attack: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 1 + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Scimitar Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 17 + 1 + 2 = 31
Damage: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Two of her attacks manage to cut under the Mantis' guard.

The black tentacle manage to grab and squeeze two of the assassins.

CMB #2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
CMB #4: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

The two grappled assassins try to break free of their bonds and fail.

Attack vs Gina: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Attack vs Gina: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Attack vs Noble: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Attack vs Noble: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

The remaining Mantis attack, but fail to hit their marks.

Party up!

Map

Hawthorne races onto the stairs, then over the side (guessed this to be a DC 15 Acrobatics, which Hawthorne would auto-make with +14) and on the path indicated, around behind the cage (I think it's a cage...?) to attack #5 with haste, Power Attack, Furious Focus, Vital Strike, and flanking.

attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 1 + 2 = 26
damage: 2d10 + 14 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 14 + (6, 6) = 33

Black Tentacles CMB: 1d20 + 8 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 5 + 5 = 32 Including +5 for maintaining a grapple.
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Mr. K will yawn a bit an unleash an electric wall facing away from the party on #s: 1, 2 & 4.

Electric Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 8 + 4 = 17

Noble continues his assault with a rights and lefts, starting with 5.

1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25

1d8 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25

1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22

1d8 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26

1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

1d8 + 19 ⇒ (4) + 19 = 23

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

1d8 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21

Hawthorne circles around and cuts open a vicious gash down one of the assassins.

Mr. K conjures up a wall of crackling electricity, sending a jolt down some of the assassins. One of the assassins in the grasp of the tentacles goes down.

Gina and Noble!

Edit!

Noble releases of flurry of punches. He takes down one assassin, then starts pummeling the next one. The last one he punches, gets constricted by the tentacles and goes limp.

Gina!

Full Attack

Scimitar Attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22
damage: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Scimitar Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
damage: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Scimitar Attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26
damage: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Gina's blades weaves and dances as she slices through the final assassin's defenses. With a final stroke, the Mantis goes down.

Out of Combat

Dismissing his tentacles...

"Well done. Does anybody require healing?"