Leinathan's Motteditor's Kingmaker PBP (Inactive)

Game Master leinathan

Kereek stares at it, first rightside up, and then, nearly standing on his head, upside down. He looks sideways, crouches down and looks at it from below, but finally shakes his head. "Kereek no know what wordses is. Maybe is TERRIBLE CURSE upon anyone who messes with shiny shocky lights?"

Agnar fumbles over the words, but with his training in languages just beginning, their meaning eludes him.

"I've no idea. If we're going in, let's be cautious, be quick, and be done with it. There is something unnatural about this place and the sooner we're done with it, the better."

Prazil trots over to the faded engravings, tapping his forefinger on his lips sagely as he looks them over.

Linguistics: 1d20 ⇒ 8

He nods authoritatively then and balls his fists on his hips in triumph. "No, you am all wrong. This am obviously ancient technique from dragon-kings for growing delicious radishes. Very much am missing here though or Prazil would take good notes."

There's not really an "in" to go into -- it's basically a 40-foot empty husk of a tower with just nettle and rubble on the ground.

Just to be thorough, Kereek will cast detect magic and sweep the area inside and outside the tower.

Agnar will keep his spear in hand and investigate the interior for any other signs of the lights, or anything else of interest.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

None of you notice anything else of interest. Kereek, the area does radiate a faint aura of necromantic magic, though it doesn't seem to be coming from any particular source.

"Ach! Tower smells evil, evil! Like dead things magic! Makes Kereek scales crawl!" Kereek makes a face and shivers slightly, letting his magic end. He looks around and heads back toward the raft.

Satisfied with his interpretation of the illegible letter-like impressions, Prazil returns his attention to the group. At the mention of evil magics, the little grey-scaled kobold shifts uncomfortably before walking over to stand beside Jon. He shoots Orin a knowing look on the sly as he does so and continues to mingle about with the group staying close to the reassuringly brave baron. At one point, he observes, "Baron Jon, Prazil am thinking, you and Orin am make really good team. Prazil not think we could have beat blinky shocky zippy flippy Wispy Willow without you two." He nods seriously at the end, punctuating the compliment with a gesture of respect.

Mott: did my knowledge check reveal something else about the will-o-the-wisps? Like how they are organized and how well they get along among themselves? What time of day they're active and what they do when they're not active?

"There should be more of them", Treshiell says and scans the ruins. "Perhaps after nightfall. Did you accomplish what you came here for, baron?" she asks Jon.

They tend to be solitary, though sometimes you'll see two and rarely a string of three or four. They tend to be more active at night, but that might also be that they're simply easier to see at night. You're not sure what they do when they're not active.

Mott: did my knowledge check reveal something else about the will-o-the-wisps? Like how they are organized and how well they get along among themselves? What time of day they're active and what they do when they're not active?

"There should be more of them", Treshiell says and scans the ruins. "Perhaps after nightfall. Did you accomplish what you came here for, baron?" she asks Jon.

"An interesting site. Perhaps we'll send some language scholars out this way to decode it for us." Jon says before answering Treshiell's question directly. "Yes, let's get back home. Abadar

Nooo...what we obviously need to do is camp on the spooky, poisonous island until nightfall so we can fight the rest of the deathlights all at once.

"I've no objections to leaving here, the sooner the better. Perhaps we should issue an official warning to stay away from this place."

Orin listens to the others before he speaks "Yes, I suggest we leave the island before we run into any other of these "lights". However, as the Old Beldame has said people come here just for the thrill of it, so issuing a warning is no restraint. As far as sending scholars out here, that would be pure suicide unless we deal with these creatures which will have to some day if we annex this island into our kingdom."
Looking at Agnar and Treshiell he asks "Do either of you have a spell that would help protect us from these creatures shocking touch? Agnar, your spell to calm people's fear would also come in handy again. I suggest we retreat back to camp and regroup to properly prepare for these creatures and return tomorrow evening and every evening until they are no more."

Treshiell looks up from an intent whispered conversation with Thaal and meets Orin's gaze with a tilt of her head. "Relief, yes. Protection, no. I can ward one of you, but if you let the creature hit you the ward will disapate."

Retracting this as it was made under the influence of ignorance:
She looks over at Jon. "A shield would offer protection. As well as heavier armor."

I thought these buggers were making touch attacks? If so, shields and armor will avail us nothing! =P

Once we hit 5th level, Kereek can set you up with Resist Energy. Until then? Armor will not help you. Not even Mage Armor, since these are touch attacks and not incorporeal touches.

Oh, didn't know they made touch attacks. Scratch the last sentance then :)

The kobolds are wise in this case. So where to after you get back to shore? Jon mentioned heading home. You've been out about 10 days, and it'll take about two days to get back to Thronehold, so you don't have to go back now if you don't want.

Map

You return to shore safely after a long afternoon of trekking back through the sickening nettles -- , and the night passes uneventfully, though through the darkness, you can see a light hovering near the tower.

It's technically a DC 15 Fort save again to avoid being sickened on the trip back through the nettles, but as nothing happens overnight, you only need to make it if you want to for role-playing purposes.

1d100 ⇒ 68

I vote we explore the hex to the northwest before heading home. It's mostly on the way...

Looking at Agnar and Treshiell he asks "Do either of you have a spell that would help protect us from these creatures shocking touch? Agnar, your spell to calm people's fear would also come in handy again. I suggest we retreat back to camp and regroup to properly prepare for these creatures and return tomorrow evening and every evening until they are no more."

Agnar looks ready to answer the question, but glances at the ruined tower and then about to the twisted undergrowth and holds his tongue.

Later, when the group is back aboard the raft and nearly to shore, he replies. "Couldn't help feeling it wouldn't be wise to discuss our plans on enemy ground. I have spells that could take most of the brunt of those shocks, most likely, but only enough for three of us."

Orin will reluctantly agree with the others as they suggest returning to Thronehold. "We may not be ready for these creatures, yet, perhaps another day? Aye, northwest is as good as any other direction. We can travel until we reach the river and then follow it back home."

"We where ready for at least one of them. There shouldn't be many left", Treshiell says helpfully.

You begin making your way northwest, the day passing uneventfully as your wagon slowly makes its way through the woods.

The night seems to be similarly passing uneventfully, when Orin suddenly notices a number of shadowy creatures moving through the trees toward your campsite.

His elven heritage lets him pick out their forms in the darkness -- eight spiders, each the size of a pony -- before they silently drop down on you!

Orin, you can act in the surprise round, then they'll get to act at the top of Round 1 and then you can all post your actions. I'll do a map when I get home.

Round #:
Initiative: 5
Hit points: 41/41
AC: 20 ; T: 13 ; FF: 18
CMD: 20
Condition: Power Attack

"Spiders!" Orin shouts as a warning before pulling his sword and advancing on the nearest one.

Attack roll: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 2 = 21
Damage:2d4 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 6 + 6 = 19

What's the DC for the Perception check to hear all this ruckus and wake up? Hopefully low since we get a nice -10 to the check thanks to being asleep =\

Also, I have been WAITING!!! for a giant spider fight ever since this happened =)

The DC to hear the sounds of battle is -10 with a +10 modifier for being asleep brings the DC to zero.

Yeah, I'm fine assuming since you're not far from Orin and he's shouting that it's an autosucceed.

Orin whips his sword out of its sheat, slashing one of the massive creatures out of the air and splattering it before it can land.

The others land, seemingly seeking safer non-two-legged prey as one goes after Spike, three after horses and three others after Orin's cat companion.

Spike's armor easily deflects his attacker's fangs, but Shira and Jon's horse are far less lucky, as the spiders' mandibles rip into them. 3 hp to Shira and 4 hp to the horse; save Fort DC 14; frequency 1/round for 4 rounds; effect 1d2 Strength damage; cure 1 save.

Round 1, Init 21
HP 30/30
AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 10. . (+1 Dex, +2 combat expertise)
Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +8, Immune fear, disease

Yet again, Jon finds himself in his under garmets sword in hand.

Taking a defensive stance he swings at the first spider within his reach.

1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 2 = 15
1d10 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Round 1

Prazil leaps from his bedroll at the sound of Spike's angry groaning, "Spike! Spike!" He fumbles about for his shield and his hammer as he urges the triceratops to fight back, "Spike! Guard! Guard!"

Move Action: equip shield
Move Action: equip hammer
Free Action: handle animal

Spike Attack (Handle Animal DC20): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30 success!

Spike Gore: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6for: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Spike tries to gore into the spider attacking him, but gets over excited at the sound of Prazil's shouts and misses horribly.

Kereek springs to his feet, seeing the spiders attacking. He begins shouting loudly, "SPIDERS! SPIDERS! Did Treshiell make Treshiell Stomach Spiders again?!? KILLITKILLITKILLITKILLIT!" He frantically makes a throwing motion at the spider nearest to him, casting scorching ray as he does.

Touch Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 for Fire Damage: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 6, 4, 3) + 4 = 18

Shi'Ra save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Round #: 1
Initiative: 5
Hit points: 41/41
AC: 20 ; T: 13 ; FF: 18
CMD: 20
Condition: Power Attack, Flank, Stealth Attack

Seeing the spider's mandibles sink into Shi'ra's flank, Orin strides across the campsite with ichor from his previous kill dripping from his blade. He places the spider between himself and his cat before striking at the arachnid's exposed flank.

Attack roll: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 23
Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 6 + 6 + (4) = 23

Hissing in pain (29/32 hp's) Shi'ra unleashes her feline fury upon the already dead spider.
Attack Rolls (bite, claw, claw): 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 = 13; 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 2 = 27; 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 = 26
Damage (bite, claw, claw): 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9; 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6; 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

There are three spiders attacking Shi'Ra, so she may want to go after one of the other ones.

Oops, misread it. So she will attack one of the remaining ones then.
With the original spider down, Orin will order Shi'Ra to attack one of the other spiders threatening her.
Handle Animal (DC:13)(10+3 damage): 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 4 = 23

Round 1, Initiative 7

Agnar rises from his bedroll, casting a spell and surrounding himself with a shimmering aura. [ooc]Move action to stand, casting shield of faith. Then he surveys the situation, noting the danger to the animals and Kereek's discomfort.

"Big spiders...but not as big as the last one we fought," he says offhandedly to the sorcerer.

Round 1, initiative 14
ac 11, touch 11, fleet-footed 10
fort +2, ref +2, will +5
cmd 13
hp 25/25
effects:

Quick to her feet Treshiell starts to weave her hands in hypnotic patterns disturbing the air around the spiders closest to Orin.

Move action to stand
Use Evil eye hex (DC16) to give the spider that Orin's attacking a -2 AC penalty

Sorry about the delay.

As Prazil grabs his arms and stands up, Spike tries to gore his attacker, but the creature skitters back over the dinosaur's back, well out of his reach.

Jon leaps to his feat and slashes out at one of the creatures attacking his horse. His blade draws blood, but doesn't kill the creature, which turns on him.

Agnar casts his defensive magics while Kereek goes on the offensive, his blast slamming into the arachnids on top of Spike and obliterating it in a flash, leaving only a superimposed image burned on your retinas for a moment.

Orin leaps across the campsite, killing one of Shi'Ra's attackers. His cat tears into one of her other assailants, clawing at it furiously, though its able to avoid her bite.

Without the element of surprise, the spiders appear to be badly overmatch, unable to sink their fangs into anyone. Wow; just one roll in double digits, and even that one barely made it. One spider's attacking Jon; two attacking Jon's horse and two attacking Shi'Ra.

Prazil hurries out into the fray, rushing after the nearest spider as Spike wheels around for a shot at a spider as well.
Mwk Warhammer: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10for: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Spike Gore: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11for: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Apparently, I caught the "no-double-digits plague" as well =\

Round #: 2
Initiative: 5
Hit points: 41/41
AC: 20 ; T: 13 ; FF: 18
CMD: 20
Condition: Power Attack, Flank, Stealth Attack

Orin will move around Shi'ra to attack the spider that is not engaged with his cat, while she continues to maul the spider she attacked before.

Attack roll (Orin): 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 12

Attack Roll (Shi'Ra): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26; 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28; 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Confirm Critical: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8; 2d3 + 6 ⇒ (3, 3) + 6 = 12; 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Kereeks lets out another unidentifiable shriek of panic/anger and blasts one of the spiders on Jon's horse!

Scorching Ray Touch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Damage: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 1, 4, 1) + 4 = 16

Round 2, Initiative 7

Agnar picks up his longspear and moves toward the animals, taking up a position behind Jon to attack so he can minister to any ills our Baron might suffer.

Round 1, initiative 14
ac 11, touch 11, fleet-footed 10
fort +2, ref +2, will +5
cmd 13
hp 25/25
effects:

Treshiell directs her attention to the spider fighting Jon. She continues her hexes but the movement and tempo has changed as she moves to a more powerful hex. Free to divert more concentration to the hex the witch starts to accompany her gestures with a hymn.

Use Misfortune hex on the spider attacking Jon.
Use Cackle to extend the hex by one round

Round 1, Init 21
HP 30/30
AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 10. . (+1 Dex, +2 combat expertise)
Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +8, Immune fear, disease

Jon slashes at the spider attacking him as he moves to protect his horse. "Don't let the horse fall, or we'll have a rough road ahead of us! Jon yells as his horse is double teamed.

1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 - 2 = 14
1d10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Spike and Prazil can't connect with the quickly jittering spiders, but Jon's able to slam his blade through the one attacking him, killing it.

Agnar moves into position behind Jon as Kereek's magic shoots above one of the spiders on Jon's horse, flashing harmlessly into the night.

Orin just hits the spider, thanks to Treshiell's hex, taking off several of its legs, as Shira quickly dispatches her remaining attacker.

The remaining spiders continue to press their attack, Jon's horse screaming in pain as their fangs sink into its flesh. 4 hp total; need DC 14 Fort save vs. poison, please; still need horse and Shi'Ra's saves from last round too.

The target of Treshiell's last hex didn't survive long enough to matter.

Round 3
Prazil and Spike try to gang up on the nearest spider!
Mwk Warhammer: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21for: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Spike Gore: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20for: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
minimum damage abounds!

Kereek stops screaming long enough to notice his shot went wide. He snarls at the spider and fires another fiery ray! Touch Attack OF FIRE!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 for 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2, 4, 4) + 4 = 18 fire damage at one of the horse-eating spiders!

"DIEDIEDIEDIESPIDERDIEDIE!"

Shi'Ra save: 1d20+7

See the top of my Round #1 post

Round #: 2
Initiative: 5
Hit points: 41/41
AC: 20 ; T: 13 ; FF: 18
CMD: 20
Condition: Power Attack, Flank, Stealth Attack

Orin Presses his attack upon the injured spider.
Attack roll: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 16
Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 + 6 + (5) = 21

With the last of the spiders on his companion dispatched, Orin orders Shi'Ra "Shi'Ra, guard Treshiell." As the cat moves over to stand beside the witch, Orin moves over to join the fray against the remaining spiders by the horses.

The target of Treshiell's last hex didn't survive long enough to matter.

In the interest of fairness I must point out that Treshiell used the Misfortune hex last round, which only effect is to cancel out the first monster dice roll. It was the first spider that got the Evil eye

Round 3, initiative 14
ac 11, touch 11, fleet-footed 10
fort +2, ref +2, will +5
cmd 13
hp 25/25
effects:

Treshiell continues to work her magic and her hymn to hinder the spiders.

Standard action to use Misfortune hex on one of the spiders attacking the horse
Move action to use Cackle to extend the duration of all hexes within 30ft by 1 round

Round 3, Initiative 7

Agnar stabs at one of the spiders attacking the horse.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Got it, Orin. Thanks. Treshiell, I think both spiders you hexed were killed as they were the two closest to Orin.

Prazil and Spike both inflict glancing blows on one of the spiders, which is quickly finished off by Agnar, even as Orin turns the other into a fine paste.

Soon the normal sounds of night descend again on the campsite as the horse's screams and your labored breathing cease.