Lucendar's Expedition to the Demonweb Pits - Hope you enjoy the trip!

Game Master Lucendar

I think it's a lot of risk, but it's your head.

Of course it's a risk, but hopefully it will pay off without having to pay quite that steep a price. :)
I guess we'll find out.

Braegan: Normal stealth is +22 - +4 for blend = +26, correct?

Braegan slinks off east, up the slope of the cavern and disappears from the room.
When you're ready, stealth check please.

That math is correct. Can I have him take 10? It seems like a valid time to do so by my reading of the take 10 rules.

If not, here's a handful of rolls you can use (for the sake of proactivity).

Also, I'm not looking to engage, just gather intel. If there is a hint of a threat, Braegan will do his best to stay at the range of his Darkvision to try to force his potential threats to eat as many range Perception penalties as possible to remain hidden.

That being said ... hold onto your butts.

Taking 10 is fine.

Perception roll: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Braegan moves through a 20' wide natural corridor for 30 feet before it turns slightly to the north. 60' away on a 10' high ledge stands a muscular demon humanoid with bluish/purplish skin about 6'5", its body covered with large razor sharp horns. Pic of Creature It appears to be guarding the area, as it continually peers down the corridor, but it has not noticed you yet.

Next to the ledge where the demonic creature is, you see a gray archway with strange sigils, unreadable at this distance.

What do you wish to do?

Does Braegan know what it is?
Know: Planes (w/ Favored Enemy bonus): 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 4 = 23

If he does know what it is, what are its combat capabilities? (Or does that require a separate roll?)

You know it is known as a horned demon though you do not remember its technical name. It ranks higher on the hierarchy of demons than a vrock. It fights with its claws, bite, and gore. It can disarm an opponent with its horns as well as trip you. It has SR, immune to electricity and poison, and resistant to fire, cold, and acid. It has spell-like abilities, including the ability to haste itself, and it is resistant to all non-good weapons.

Armed with some new information (and not wanting to face this beast on his own), Braegan slinks back into the darkness and back towards the group's resting spot.

He walks back into their presence, making enough noise not to surprise them as well as quietly announcing his presence. "So, good news.I think I found the gate. Bad news. It looks to be guarded by some kind of demon that makes that vrock look like a humming bird."

He gives as detailed of a description of the creature as he can, as well as an outline of all the capacities he suspects it to have, hoping the team can fill in the gaps that he couldn't remember himself. "I didn't do anymore scouting. Seemed more prudent to fill you guys in. You want to rest up and hit it afterwards? Or take it while we know what we're dealing with." He frowns, "Though truthfully I wasn't able to get close enough to see if it had any allies. If they're hiding or invisible, I had no way of knowing. Hopefully that's not the case."

"Honestly I don't have enough left to try anything tough. At best I could root for you, but I have little enough healing or enhancement spells left. "

Braegan nods, then efficiently drops his pack and prepares for sleep. "Wake me in two hours," he mutters as he does his best to get his bedroll to soften the hard ground beneath him. "The I can watch the remainder of the night."

As he drifts off to sleep, he looks over at Senna, "No funny business. If I wake up with more tattoos than I have now ... I know who I'm blaming."

Rest up, prep up, then go hit the horned demon? :D
Also, anyone able to best my knowledge roll to fully ID this sucker?

K: Planes: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 No luck there.

Although judging from the picture I don't feel too bad... that demon must be part aberration because he appears to be made of plastic. :P

Senna looks torn, clearly willing to carry on the fight but appreciating the value of having the priest at full strength. To Braegan, regarding mysterious tattoos, Senna shrugs. "I make no promises."

"Not easy to rest with demon next door. Rest now, if possible then go horny demon hunting!"

"I've got half a mind to go after that creature ye're talking about right now" - Tark mumbles - "But Perb is in the right - he has kept us all alive since we've started - I'll abide fer what he says" - he nods at the cleric - "And I'll take first watch" - he adds.

The night passes uneventfully, with no demons upsetting your rest. Now, fully rested, how do you wish to proceed? If memorized spells change, let me know.

I swapped out a couple of spells after sleeping. Picked up some more daylights since those pesky drow love their darkness. The spell list in my profile has been updated.

Braegan stands and stretches limbs and joints, working out the stiffness accumulated from sitting watch for the majority of the night. He quietly declines any offered food as he double-checks his gear in what appears to be as much ceremony and habit as necessity. ”I’ll take point in getting us back to the gate and its defender.” He looks over at the two heavy party-members, specifically at their bulk and short legs. ”Give me a little bit of space as we move, but stay close enough to cover the distance should I call out. I’ll try to get us close to that demon without him knowing. Otherwise, I’ll just try to keep us from walking into any traps or new threats.”

He looks around at the group, "Any brilliant ideas on taking it down. Ya know, other than 'hit it hard and fast'?"

Spells refreshed but the same as the day before.
Unless someone has another idea, Braegan will lead (and ask the group to stay 20 feet behind him unless he calls them forward). The general idea is to get eyes on the horned demon before he knows we're here, so we can ambush him, allowing a Blend-ed Braegan to get to the edge of its Darkvision and take a quick look before we set up for the attack.

How long will it take to reach the gate and horned demon? If it’s less than an hour, Braegan will go ahead and cast Barkskin and Blend (1 hour duration on both). If we’re farther than that, Braegan will wait until we’re about 30 minutes from the gate (judging by his scouting the night before).

Will someone use my Mage Armor wand on me, please? 48 charges left. Before approaching the demon, I will also enter Dragon Style!

"Few things work better than hittin 'hard and fast' lad" - Tark retorts matter of fact - "I'm used ta bein' at the forefront - t'seems they always underestimate just how hard a dwarven hammer can be strikin" - he snorts - "Kinda gotten used ta it that way, so when in doubt I'll be up in them faces, causin' a ruckus. But I'm all hears to any plans ya may be havin" - he packs up his stuff - "Teamwork always wins, and only a daft one wouldn't play by that tune"

The demon, if still in his last location, is about 10 mins away from the party's current location.

The Oread nods at the dwarf's words. "Jaydavu plan on punching demon. Maybe kick too, if Davu feels like it! Rest should be watchful as tricky demon might have ally hidden, too. Be watchful," he rumbles in his deep, throaty voice.

The demon, if still in his last location, is about 10 mins away from the party's current location.

Excellent. Then Braegan will definitely get those two spells running as they set out.

”I’ll keep my eyes peeled,” the half-elf responds, his face dead-pan, ”Now, let’s catch this sucker between a rock and a hard place.”

Let’s assume Senna hits Jaydavu up with that Mage Armor, and then Braegan will lead out in the manner I outlined above. :)

Works for me.

Senna taps Davu with the wand as requested and casts Mage Armor on herself for good measure. "Let's go see how tough this demon is to beat."

FYI - I'm likely to lead with Haste on you guys if you care to delay until my action. But don't let that stop you from taking a good shot if we manage to surprise this guy.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Braegan makes it to the same point as previous map provided, without being noticed. The rest of the party is 20' west, off the map. Now what?

Braegan wastes no time. Without warning, he draws a single red-fletched tangleshot arrow from his quiver and lets it fly towards the unsuspecting demon.

Tangleshot arrow = Ranged touch attack against the flat-footed horned demon. >:D
Attacks include: Favored Enemy (+4)
+1 Adaptive Longbow: 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 17 + 4 = 37
Success = Entangled for 2d4 rounds and Reflex DC 10 or be glued in place.
For simplicity: tanglefoot bag link

Reflex save without modifiers: 1d20 ⇒ 9...success!

The demon is caught unaware and tangled in goo, although it does not glue him to the floor.
Duration of entangled: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8 rounds

Initiative:
Demon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Braegan: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12...+5 Dex and +5 Deep Knowledge...where does other +2 come from?
Jay: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Perb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Senna: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Tark: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Party is up!
Braegan is 60' away
Rest of party is 80' away and must move at least 20' to get line of sight to demon.

Perblentious will move up (40') and start his performance.

+2/+2

Um … I have no idea where I got +12. +10 is correct.
Waiting to see what Senna does (based on her earlier comment).

Tark moves as fast as he can towards the demon - "I guess it is on lads!"

Move action: Double move for 40'

Senna makes a gesture and envigorates her allies and herself. Then she follows them as they move in.

STAND: Cast Haste
MOVE: Follow the team - stay about 10' behind the front-line

Haste
RANGE: 25' + 5'/ 2 level ; 1 creature/level ; No more than 30' apart
DURATION: 1 RND/Level
EFFECT:

• Extra Attack on FULL ATTACK ACTION
• +1 ATT Rolls
• +1 Reflex Saves
• +1 Dodge AC
• +30' Move

As the arrow slows the demon, Braegan smiles, though it's little more than a baring of teeth. He lets team rush towards their foe as the small mage's magic quickens his pulse. Then the archer begins his assault in earnest.

THWIP THWIP THWIP THWIP

Four arrows streak through the darkness.

Full attack: Rapid Shot (crit: 19/x3)
Attacks include: Favored Enemy (+4), Haste (+1), Inspire (+2), Deadly Aim (-3/+6)

Clustered Shots: damage is totaled before applying DR.

The oread moves to intercept the demon, using the spell to move forward 65', waiving the beast to head in his direction. "Come and get Davu, demon. Will fix demon and drow's."

Actually, and since Senna's haste spell goes off before Tark acts, he moves much further. Maybe he can even charge the demon? Maybe there's a straight line? If not, he gets close enough to AoO if the bad guy tries to get past him ;)

Braegan: Could you break down the +19 hit on each shot?
+9 base +5 dex +1 bow +1 feat + 2 inspire +4 FE + 1 haste -2 rapid shot -3 deadly aim = +18

Bracers of Falcon's Aim grant constant Aspect of the Falcon, giving an additional +1 competence bonus.

Cannot charge, Tark. Demon is on a 10' high ledge.

Two of Braegan's arrows strike the demon, causing him to grimace in pain.

Round 1: Demon's turn
As a swift action, the demon turns his gaze on Braegan, who feels as if his life essence were being sucked out!
Will save please Braegan!

As his standard action, the demon raises his hand and a symbol of energy appears above its head, pulsating and vibrating, and you feel it whisper in your ear, "Do not harm me...I am your friend."

Everyone please make Will saves. It is a charm/compulsion effect, it is a spell, so add all your bonuses.

Depending on the results of the saves, I will tell you his move action.

Will Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

Oops, I thought Braegan wasn't included in the second save. My bad.
Will Save: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 2 = 25

Please roll both saves in the same post, B.

will save: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15 splendid.

Will 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 2 = 17

Aw s%~&.

Will Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

I don't know if this relevant but I think symbols have a 10 minute casting time.

Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

+2 to the above if Perblentious Inspire applies

Thanks, Sienna. I missed the casting time for symbols. The demon instead casts Greater Command, targeting Perb, Jay, and Tark and same saves apply.

Braegan fights off the demon's sucking of his life energy, but it takes a toll on his body. Staggered for 1 round: A staggered creature may take a single move action or standard action each round (but not both, nor can he take full-round actions).

The demon yells out "Halt!" in Common and Jay and Perb freeze.
Halt: The subject stands in place for 1 round. It may not take any actions but is not considered helpless.

The demon moves 10' back on his ledge.

Party is up in Round 2.
Braegan is staggered.
Jay and Perb, no action.
Sienna and Tark can act normally.

Updated Map

Braegan curses, then lurches forward … struggling to keep the demon in-sight. Spying a firing perch of his own, he easily hops up on it as his quarry comes back into his visual range.

Move to the top-right corner of that 5’ raised shelf. A Hasted speed of 60 should be a bit more than enough, even with diagonals and hopping up on the 5' shelf.
(Movement should be down-right > down-right > down-right > down-right > down-right > down (requiring a 5’ vertical hope, rolled below) > right.
5' high jump DC = 20 :: Acrobatics (Jumping) rules, for reference
Acrobatics DC 20 (+12 bonus for Hasted speed): 1d20 + 18 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 18 + 12 = 41

Because of lingering performance, the inspire courage bonuses persist.

I'll update when I'm home - not sure how I'm getting up that ledge though... With haste shouldn't have Tark gotten closer Drow_DM?

You are right, Tark. You should have reached the bottom of the ledge. Question is: how do you get up?

And wouldn't I have been allowed an AoO due to the reach weapon? :)

Fair enough. Then he took a 5' step back only, now completely out of reach.

"Damned creature, and damned freakin' perch - now ye're making me climb, and I didn't wanna climb. You gonna regret dat" - Tark grumbles, stowing his weapon away(Assuming I can't climb with one hand only, right?), and beginning to climb towards the demon.

Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30->(Assuming I can't climb with one hand only, right?)

Look at ma boy go! A shame skills don't have critical successes :D