Magnimar Special Investigations Unit One (Inactive)

Game Master Nazard

"Mikobar, surrender now and you'll live to face a Justice. "

Hackneyed but unimaginative. What are Veristan's possible escape routes?

Auriel, the vines growing up the side of the building could probably hold her weight.

"Nice of you to offer. Must decline. Give me my trinket, and I won't butcher you all."

MILLIS MANOR SECOND FLOOR MAP UPDATED

I took the liberty of backing Calatin up, now that he's using cantrip rays Without going into too much complex trig, we'll say that Veristan is now just barely within range.

"Don't believe him!" Auriel shouts. "He had the damn thing last time and still pushed the building over the cliff!"

Don't you like trig? It was the bit of mathematics I enjoyed the most, even better than algebra and calculus!

Calatin, however, isn't going to stop to do any calculations either, he'll just fire off yet another ray of frost, embellishing his spell with a few cuss-words that would scandalise his mother, should she hear them :)

Attack roll: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

(Hmm. He ought to have done his sums, methinks!)

"Eh?" Heward looks at Garidan. He steps back and leaps unto the table.

Acrobatics 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

Then with his newfound height he jabs again at the summoner.

Longspear 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 ... damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

The spearpoint grinds off the wall to Veristan's left.

Veristan Concentration: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Veristan, unable to proceed further away, concentrates inwardly for a moment.

1d3 ⇒ 2

Two small fire elementals appear: one right beneath Heward's table, the other behind Calatin.

The elemental beneath the table reaches out to grab the table legs.
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
The elemental fails to burn through the table legs' hardness, but it does set the table on fire for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds.

If somebody could point me towards the rules for hardness, wood, fire, etc, I would appreciate it. Looking in the exploration section of the Additional Rules chapter in the core book has been helpful, but it seems to me that a fire elemental should be able to burn through a simple wooden table. I just can't find anywhere it says that fire attacks bypass the hardness of wood.

The second elemental swings at Calatin.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 fire damage. Reflex save DC 13 or catch fire for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds

Up next: Auriel, Taverson, Laya, Awgin

Is the fire elemental attacking Calatin in the hallway in Q 20 or in the doorway in R 19?

"Ouch! Gerroff!" and Calatin attempts to put himself out.

Reflex save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Awgin steps up and smashes the elemental menacing Calatin. He then staggers with only his rage keeping him from falling over.
Hit points now -1
Flail:
to hit 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 damage 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Is the fire elemental attacking Calatin in the hallway in Q 20 or in the doorway in R 19?

It's out on the balcony, not inside the library, so Q20, I guess (can't see the map at the moment).

It's out on the balcony, not inside the library, so Q20, I guess (can't see the map at the moment).

Not between Auriel and Calatin, then, which is good for Auriel, not so good for Awgin being able to get to it to hit it.

Auriel notices Calatin beginning to go up in flames in the doorway and races over to him. "Get out of all those flappy robes!" she shouts at him. "I mean...," she hesitates, "you're wearing something under all that, right?"

Auriel moves to Q 20 and tries to pull the flaming robes off Calatin. Is there a chance she'll realize the MacGuffin is in his clothing, once she gets her hands on them? If she does, she'll try to pocket it to get it away from the elementals. I'll throw in some rolls that might or might not be pertinent. Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 Sleight of Hand 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

I didn't realize the fire elemental was so far away from Awgin. He'll have to hold action.

I didn't realize the fire elemental was so far away from Awgin. He'll have to hold action.

He can ready or delay as needed for Calatin to vacate the area (as I'm sure he's about to), and then you can use those rolls.

Taverson's eyes widen in surprise as the elementals appear, but he continues training the crossbow on Veristan without firing.

Up next: Laya, Awgin (delaying), Garidan, Calatin

Laya rummages quickly in her pack and pulls out a scroll. Unrolling it, she quickly reads the words written upon it.

Scroll of bless -- +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and Will saves vs fear
It should get the whole party now that Auriel is by Calatin.

Smoke and charred wood assault Heyward's nose. Looking down he realizes the table won't last long.

If I jump-thrust at Veristan can I reach him? Would it be considered a charge? How hard would it be?

Smoke and charred wood assault Heyward's nose. Looking down he realizes the table won't last long.

If I jump-thrust at Veristan can I reach him? Would it be considered a charge? How hard would it be?

You can reach him normally at the moment. You could jump at him, but don't have enough of a running start to make it a charge. Of course, even f you did, there's the matter of the long tumble down the staircase afterwards.

Hmmm... can't cast without provoking from the little burner under the table, judging by the map (and I'm not a fan of casting defensively), so...

Seeing the small flaming spirit manifest under the table Heward is standing on, Garidan scowls, shakes his head, and draws his dagger (move action),

'Keep at Veristan!' he calls to Heward, whilst he himself (against his better judgement...) thrusts his dagger at the fire elemental trying to immolate the table and watchman both...

Dagger attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Calatin is presently concerned with putting himself out, and the first thing that springs to mind is 'Drop and roll' so he shall... hopefully away from the fire elemental.

Drat! And I was wearing my BEST robe today :(

Garidan lunges for the fire elemental with his dagger, cutting a small section of living fire off of the creature, which drifts over the balcony before fading in the open space.

Calatin takes a five-foot step into the library, then drops to the floor and rolls, protected by the door frame from any advantage the elemental might want to take on the smoldering wizard. This also leaves Awgin an opening to step up and smack nearly all the heat out of the elemental. It flickers fitfully in front of him, but does not vanish. Awgin, too, looks like he's flickering fitfully.

Up next: Heward, Veristan, Auriel

If I can still reach him normally I guess I'll take my chances with the table collapsing.

Heward thrusts at the summoner again with the heavy spear.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 ... damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

The spearpoint scores Mikobar's thigh. Heward grunts with the exertion and disappointment.

Heward's attack does indeed land, though it's only minor.

Veristan bares his teeth in pain, and concentrates on casting a spell, but before he can really even begin...

Taverson's borrowed bow twangs.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 1 = 25
Critical confirm: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 1 = 23
Damage: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (8, 2) + 2 = 12

The bolt sails true, slamming into the summoner.
Concentration check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 vs DC 23
His spell fizzles.
The elemental und the table continues its assault on the table.
1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
The other elemental swings at Calatin around the corner.
1d20 + 5 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 4 - 4 = 19
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 another Reflex save to avoid catching fire.

Auriel, I'm assuming Calatin took measures to hide the trinket on his person. I'll make a Sleight of Hand check for him, giving him a bonus for the robes.
Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 1 + 5 = 20
Auriel fails to find the enjoiner.

Up next: Auriel, Laya, Awgin

Just realized I said Auriel moved to Q 20 in the last round when I meant R 19. She couldn't have gone to Q 20 because that's where the elemental was. Only I think Calatin just dropped prone in R 19 if the elemental was able to attack him from Q 20. So do you want to say Calatin dropped prone in R 18 and direct the elemental's attack against Auriel, or do you want to say Auriel's in R 18 and keep things as is?

Let's just put Auriel in R18. Sorry I haven't been updating the maps lately. For those who don't know, I teach elementary school music. Needless to say, this time of year is my busiest, what with planning and running concerts, preparing report cards, and fielding angry e-mails from parents upset that I didn't just allow their six year old son to perform a lap dance in the front row of the finale because he was "having fun" and "wouldn't life just be better if we could all just laugh and dance".

Auriel shrinks back as the portly wizard rolls around at her feet. Just as it seems he has succeeded in putting out the flames licking at his robe, the fiery creature reaches in and hits him again with a flurry of sparks. Realizing Calatin is the only thing between her and being burned herself, she retreats to the window and hovers at the sill, ready to swing out and take her chances on the vines.

Move to U 20; Ready an action to Climb down the vines if the elemental comes after her. Climb 1d20 ⇒ 3 aaand Acrobatics to negate 10 feet of falling damage if the ready conditions occur before her next turn 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13. I was hoping to take the enjoiner with her and keep the elemental from getting it, but she's not aware that Calatin has it. :P

No worries, Auriel. The elemental will just continue to pound away at the downed wizard you just abandoned.:)

Auriel slinks off into the library.

Up next: Laya, Awgin, Garidan

Laya watches, concern and uncertainty etched on her face.

I really have no idea what to do at this point. She will delay for now. If anyone falls (any of her allies, that is), she will act next and cast stabilize on that person.

Heward sees Taverson's bolt hit home. "Nice shot."

Maybe we should go to full defense mode? Just try to save our own? If someone alerts Heward to Calatin's predicament, he'll help take that elemental down rather than continue poking at Veristan.

Awgin makes one more half-hearted swing at the fire elemental with his flail before passing out.
Flail:
to hit 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 damage 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Awgin makes one more half-hearted swing at the fire elemental with his flail before passing out.

Guess that's your cue, Laya.

'Keep at him!' Garidan urges Heward, 'If he vanishes again we may never get another chance to halt his madness!'

Seriously - the guy seems low on spells (otherwise he'd be invisible right now) and is cornered and wounded. We've basically gotten nowhere tracking him down via investigation, so I say we may as well go all in to stop him now. It's hardly going to go any better if we let him go (possibly with the last piece of the enjoiner), rest up to full power, and try again - we'll still be fighting outside our weight class. It's not like we've made a load of mistake here - we'd be mad to think we'd do any better at a later date when the bad guy is holding all the cards.

Noting Auriel's retreat the Shoanti calls over,

'Find some water to stop the fire spirits, or something to pry this bug from his perch!'

To Veristan he shakes his fist and yells...

Intimidate attempt:

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Wah-wah-wah... :(

Veristan laughs at Garidan's rant, pausing to grunt as he yanks the crossbow bolt out of his thigh. Blood spurts out of the wound.

Up next: Calatin, Heward, Veristan, Auriel

After Awgin collapses, Laya takes her turn and casts stabilize on him.

Calatin, remember I need a Reflex save from you to see if you've caught fire again.

Come on Heward! We need a critical from you - can't let the higher-level-than-us NPC take all the credit! ;)

Calatin, remember I need a Reflex save from you to see if you've caught fire again.

Sorry - took the primary school I'm a governor of to the pantomine yesterday and never got as far as going online!

Reflex save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Zova's still out patroling, isn't she... nothing weird to report I assume? In the meantime...

Glancing towards the burning mage, Garidan's features twist into a mask of concern and anger. He calls out to Tylluan...

It's Calatin's turn as well, though we can assume he spends it puttingvtge fire out and crawling five feet away from the elemental.

Noting Auriel's retreat the Shoanti calls over,

'Find some water to stop the fire spirits, or something to pry this bug from his perch!'

"I'm in a library!" she shouts back. "I've got ... books."

Iomedae guide my hand. Heward drives the spear upward again.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 ... 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

This time the spear pierces Veristan's side below his ribs. Heward tries to twist the spear so that it catches internally and he can try to lever Mikobar off the wall, but the spear point pulls free.

Not a crit, but solid. And I personally don't care if Taverson brings him down. I just want Veristan out of the fight. I hope you guys can handle the elementals.

He's not really an NPC anyway. He's a summoned creature, brought in by Auriel's summon Taverson special ability, remember?

Heward's spear thrust causes a deep and serious wound. As Heward pulls the metal end out, Veristan's face goes from arrogant and angry to afraid. His eyes dart about, looking for an escape.

ROUND 4

Taverson pops another bolt into the crossbow and fires again.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10

The crossbow bolt ricochets off the wall.

Veristan fishes something small out of his pocket and throws it at the table. Heward can have an attack of opportunity. Assuming Heward doesn't kill him, a small clay sphere drops down at the table.

Attack vs AC 10 (fighting defensively): 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 - 2 = 10

Thick yellow smoke fills the area immediately around Heward. Everybody else sees Veristan leap off from the wall, diving over Heward's head towards the wide open space between the stairs. Surely, he must fall to his death with such a foolish move, but a quick syllable from him, and he gently floats down the last 10 feet to land on the floor below.

The elemental under the table continues to attack the table.
1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 The table is beginning to smolder, and is becoming unstable.

The other elemental moves into the library to swipe at Calatin.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 4 = 12
Can't remember if Calatin had a defensive spell up or not. Assuming no...
1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Up next: Auriel, Awgin, Laya

Heward sees his opening and jabs quickly with the spear.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 .. damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Veristan slides slightly down the wall while searching for his sphere. When he raises his arm to throw, Garidan's spear dives into the exposed area, cutting above the ribs and near his heart.

Sweet! I think that's 0 hp for him.

Veristan gasps as the spear point penetrates. He throws the sphere at Heward, creating the smoke, then pushes off from the wall, but (being staggered), loses consciousness from the effort and instead of softl floating down to the floor, plummets almost thirty feet to the cold marble below.
Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 2) = 10

Auriel watches the creature of fire stalking the burning wizard helplessly. "You got a wizard on fire in here!" she shouts desperately toward the hallway. "Hey! Hey, you! Fire guy!" she shouts at the elemental. "Yeah, you! Haven't I seen you somewhere before? You remind me of an old flame!" Standard action: bardic performance (disappearing act) to make Calatin invisible to the creature DC 13

Elemental will save 1d20 ⇒ 15 See? This is why I don't roll the bad guys' saves for them. Next time Auriel needs a Will save it will be a 3 or something. :P

The elemental pays not the slightest attention to the girl shouting in the window.

'Yes!' Garidan pumps his fist in the air as Heward takes down Veristan... then glances about, a little embarrassed by his outburst...

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

'The summoned creatures will continue to follow their last instructions,' Garidan calls out, 'Ignore the one under the table; banish the one attacking Calatin!'

Laya silently berates herself for not having prepared create water.

Delay.

Oh, right, Awgin's unconscious again. That puts you up to follow your own advice, Garidan. :)

Yep...
Up next:Garidan, Calatin, Heward

Calatin is currently at -2. Reflex save to avoid catching fire: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15 Success! He's not on fire, but at -2 and dropping.

It occurs to Laya that they'll need to question the annoying summoner, so with a sigh, she takes her action and casts stabilize on him.

Oh, right, Awgin's unconscious again. That puts you up to follow your own advice, Garidan. :)

Absolutely - and that's his plan; it's just that talking is the only action Garidan gets to take when it's not his turn... so talking is what he did until it rolled round again. Now that it has...

'Heward - my spear, if you please?' Garidan holds out his hand for the spear as he eyes the fire elemental assaulting the owl's master...

Delay until Heward can hand over the spear, then move and attack the fire elemental...

Long spear attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

If for some reason the spear fails to materialise, he'll use his dagger instead. If Heward does get the spear to Garidan then the Shoanti will probably have to drop his dagger to complete those actions in the time he has, correct? If so, then he'll do that. Looks like a miss whatever he does... Bang goes Garidan's 100% hit success rate! ;)