GM Tektite's PFS #04-19 The Night March of Kalkamedes (Inactive)

Game Master Hawkwen Agricola

Disclaimer: The link is to TVTropes, in case anyone doesn't know what I mean by *beat*. Enter at risk of losing the rest of your day.

Sen seems irked at the language comment. "Hey, I didn't learn Taldane to hear Amandaran-style, preconceived, racist junk..."

*beat*

"...though I think I agree. How does someone 'get trapped in a circle'?"

The gnome shrugs and smiles sadly. Well my name is Koth’Vaul, nice to meet you all as well. I was imprisoned here centuries ago by an organization known as the Thrallkeepers. They bound me here in this keep known as the Black Edifice to use my fey essence to power their magic.
My captors have all long since died, but the wards that bind me have kept me young. All I wants now is to be free so that I can taste fresh air once again, die at last, and perhaps travel back in spirit to the First World from whence he came.

"Huh." Aod says after the gnome's story. "Sen, is sushi some kind of fish, or sh!t? Can't quite place the smell here."

"Koth, I think yer gonna have to do better then that. We got a man here, been sleepwalkin most nights tryin to get to this place. You got any idea why?"

"Depends on what market you buy it from."

Grints hand lies on his weapon looking around in the room were the gnome is held in the circle.

"I think we should just leave him there...it probably has a reason he is down here..."

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Centuries ago you say? That seems a bit odd. I thought we elves live longest. Didn´t know a gnome can become that old. Eldanár interjects as he bends forward to look closer at the magic circle.

Knowledge nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 to think about gnomes and age.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 to research the magic circle.

"You're a more heartless lot than any I've met!" Raul says with surprise. "I'm so proud. But really, shouldn't we help this poor ageless gnome?"

"If magic circles can stop aging, I'm pretty sure the ruling class would never leave without a well-placed knife in the back. Not that that isn't what usually happens, but still. Then again, magic is one the few things I'm not exceptionally great at." Sen shifts his hands to his sides. "Plus, if I were King of Somewhere, I'd probably never tell anyone about anti-aging circles anyways; The peasants would revolt. I know I would."

"Mama told me some things about circles and wards. This one seems meant to trap outsiders. I say we shoot the little guy and see what color his blood is..." Aod suggests, narrowing his eyes and giving a grim smile. "Unless you got more to say?"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Right, a magic circle designed to hold outsiders trapping a mere gnome is more than suspicious. What are you really?

Where does Kalkamedes seem to be heading? Fendahl will not let him get within reach of the circle if that is where he is heading .

"Outsiders you say, Master Aod? If this gnome has lived as long as he says, another few minutes will not age him. If this fellow does not know anything of our sleeper, then our mission suggests we keep moving. "

He's tied to the cage, I think. But yay for Neutral parties!

Sen watches the banter, not really caring one way or the other since the gnome hasn't given any major key words like "money" or "women."

As the party expresses doubt about the gnome, he begins getting angry. You will regret this I tell you. He mumbles something to himself and a few moments later, the party hears and sees a dragon emerge from a pool in the northwest alcove. It's black skin is dull colored and sags on it's body. It begins to move toward the party, jaw open. Behind the dragon, two crawling hands skitter across the floor.

Initiative:
Eldanar
Aod
Dragon
Sen
Raul
Hands
Fendahl
Kirrah
Grint

MAP

Eldanar and Aod!

Aod grins as the gnome reveals its true colors, and laughs as the monsters emerge from the pool. He begins beating his shield again and chanting in Skald.

Deyr fé, deyja frændr,
deyr sjalfr it sama.
Ek veit einn at aldri deyr:
dómr um dauðan hvern."

Begin bardic performance for Courage, everyone gets +1 to hit and damage and +1to saves vs fear.

Eldanár mutters a curse in elven, then adds Attack it!, throwing a bomb at the dragon.

Bomb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 141d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Eldanar's bomb bursts on the side of the dragon, but does not seem the damage it as much as expected.

The dragon lumbers over to Eldanar and stops.

Initiative:
Eldanar
Aod
Dragon
Sen
Raul
Hands
Fendahl
Kirrah
Grint

Sen and Raul!

MAP

Raul approaches the dragon and prepares for battle.
Full Defense

Sen will defensively hurl a star at the dragon, to test the beast' protective capabilities..

Shuriken, PBS, in melee: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 131d2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

He then moves through the area where Raul is to be 2 squares north of the dragon, avoiding getting adjacent to it and draws his katana in the process. So, if it has reach, I provoke.

Raul moves closer to the dragon and goes on the defensive.

Circling arouns, Sen whips out and throws a shuriken. The pointy star sticks in the creature's side, but doesn't seem to do any damage.

The hands skitter across the floor, going toward Eldanar and Raul.

Hand vs Eldanar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage: 1d1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Grab: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Hand vs Raul: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage: 1d1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Grab: 1d20 ⇒ 5

The hands attack, but both miss their targets.

Initiative:
Eldanar
Aod
Dragon
Sen
Raul
Hands
Fendahl
Kirrah
Grint

Fendahl, Kirrah, Grint, Eldanar, and Aod are up!

MAP

Grint moves up next to aod, aiming at the Dragon. Suddenly he changes his aim at the strange Hand engaged with Eldanar and takes a shot at it.

Shot at the Hand fighting with Eldanar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 151d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Aod advances, circling and falling into position at Rual's right hand side. As he does, he studies the creatures, trying to remember if he's heard stories or read any chronicles that mention such things.

Raising his sword, the weapon begins to vibrate in his hand, enhanced by an arcane trick he learned from his mother. With a battlecry he brings it down at the dragon.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Attack with Arcane Strike and Bardic Courage: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 damn

Fendahl casts magic fang on Kirrah, then commands the lion to attack the dragon. Kirrah moves to the south of the dragon, ignoring the smaller hands.

magic bite: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10 damage : 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6

Fendahl will draw sword and move up 20' ( behind Raul), and swiftly issues a challenge to the dragon.

"Worm, prepare to die!" ac19 vs dragon +1 damage.

edited with Fendahl movement .

Fendahl casts a spell on Kirrah and then moves behind Raul, yelling at the dragon.

Kirrah tries to attack the dragon, but misses.

Grint fires his pistol at the hand near Eldanar. The bullet hits, knocking off a couple fingers, but the hand still moves.

Initiative:
Eldanar
Aod
Dragon
Sen
Raul
Hands
Fendahl
Kirrah
Grint

Eldanar is up!

Aod swings his sword again then steps back, looking for a route to flank the dragon.

Attack with Arcane Strike and Courage: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Maintain Bardic Performance (5/6 rounds], Standard action to attack, 5 foot step.

Kirrah had attacked from the south (not wanting to block Sen or the others). I have updated the map accordingly. Let me know if there is a reason this was not possible.

Aod would have stepped to flank with Kirrah. I adjusted him as well. Also, that would mean his attack hit AC 18, if it makes any difference.

Eldanár really doesn´t like close combat, so he retreats 5 feet and then lobs a bomb into the thick of things at the dragon, shouting a warning to his friends. Bomb incoming! Get cover!

Bomb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 161d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Aod, we still have to resolve your previous action before going to this one.

Eldanar backs up and lobs a bomb at the dragon, throwing into the thick of things. The bomb hits, exploding on the dragon and splashing Aod, Raul and Kirrah in the process. Once again, the bomb doesn't seem to do as much damage as intended.

Aod Reflex vs DC 14: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Raul Reflex vs DC 14: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Kirrah Reflex vs DC 14: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Aod takes 5 pts splash, Raul and Kirrah take half.

Aod charges his sword and attacks the dragon, but misses.

The dragon rears it's head and tries to bite Aod.

Attack vs Aod: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Bite Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

The dragon's head shoots out, it's jaws open. The jaws grab Aod and tear off huge chunks of flesh. Aod drops to the ground limply.

Aod is at -5 hp

Initiative:
Eldanar
Aod
Dragon
Sen
Raul
Hands
Fendahl
Kirrah
Grint

Sen and Raul are up!

MAP

Raul swings hard at the dragon, calling upon Gorum's strength.
Epic Swing! (power attack, ferocious strike, destructive smite): 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 - 1 = 10, Damage: 2d6 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5, 5) + 4 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 19
Not sure if bardic anything helps this, but my damage already has a +1 morale bonus. And the Bard's dead.

My bad.

GM, Aod goes after Eldanar in the initiative. I'm a little confused about order right now, but I think that would mean Aod wasn't within the splash area until after Eldanar threw the bomb, right? Of course the bite would still hit him, but leave him at 0 HP instead of -5.

Yep, good call. Aod is at zero and staggered.

And minor point, Kirrah evades the splash, so keeps 2 pts I think. Lots to keep track in this one. :)

And minor point, Kirrah evades the splash, so keeps 2 pts I think. Lots to keep track in this one. :)

Not sure if I follow. Kirrah made the Ref. Save, so only takes half the splash damage. Does Kirrah have Evasion?

Yes, evasion.

Sen will delay until Aod goes again, hoping he moves out of the way and lets the real man do the work (with help from King Kitty.)

Should my turn come back around, Sen spends a Ki point to add another attack to a full attack once he can get a 5ft step flank and and then full-attack.

Katana, Flanks!: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 2 = 181d8 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 3 + (2) = 12
Katana, Flanks!: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 2 = 211d8 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + (4) = 11

0/3 Ki pool remain

Raul swings at the dragon, but misses.

Sen delays his attack, waiting for Aod to stagger out of the way.

The hands continue to attack.

Hand Attack vs Raul: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Grab: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Hand Attack vs Kirrah: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Grab: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Both hands narrowly miss their targets.

Initiative:
Eldanar
Aod
Dragon
Sen
Raul
Hands
Fendahl
Kirrah
Grint

Fendahl, Kirrah, Grint, Eldanar, and Aod are up.

MAP

Did the hands get the splash damage actually?

"Argh!" Aod reels from the bite and reluctantly stumbles back from the dragon, dropping his sword and retreiving a scroll from his scrollcase. "Ok Sen, ok. Your turn, dammit."

Maintain bardic courage (6/6 rounds), 5' step, move action to get stowed item.

Hand Ref. Save: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Hand Ref. Save: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Both hands are still moving.

Kirrah will full attack the dragon...

claw: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 25 damage : 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5
claw: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 11 damage : 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6
bite, magic: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 22 damage : 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 9

And Fendahl will swing at a and before moving up to the dragon...

katana: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 1 = 19 damage : 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

Kirrah ferociously attack the dragon. One claw hits the dragon cuting through flesh. The big cat then bites into the dragon, this time tearing flesh.

Fendahl follows up behind his companion, slicing his katana through the dragon's flesh.

Aod staggers back out of the way, letting Sen have a shot at the dragon.

Sen dances forward and his katanas cut into the dragon's flesh as well.

The dragon collapses to the ground as Sen's katanas exit the creature's flesh.

Initiative:
Eldanar
Aod
Sen
Raul
Hands
Fendahl
Kirrah
Grint

Grint, Eldanar, and Raul.

MAPS

Raul, disappointed he didn't get a chance to cut the dragon's head off, opts for cutting some fingers off instead.
Power Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5, Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (6, 3) + 7 = 16
But is just too unsettled by disembodied hands to have any kind of aim.

Grint reloads his gun while watching the dragon collapse.

Eldanár drwas his corssbow, loads it and steps back.

Grint and Eldanar both reload!

The hands try to grab a handful.

Hand Attack vs Raul: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
1d1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Grab: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Hand Attack vs Kirrah: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
1d1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Grab: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Both hands find purchase this time, giving each a hard pinch.

Initiative:
Eldanar
Aod
Sen
Raul
Hands
Fendahl
Kirrah
Grint

Party up!

MAP

Raul keeps swinging.
Greatsword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5, Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 6) + 4 = 13
But still can't help but aim for the body that should be there.

Aod reads his scroll and heals some of his wound.

"Ahh. That's better."

Scroll of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"I told you, gentlemen; I. Play. To. Win! 6 to 9s, take the don't!" Sen swings his katana at the hand grabbing Raul.

Katana!: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 151d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9