Cresting the stair you can see that the four wings of the tower are completely open, forming one great, cross-shaped chamber with an arched ceiling. The decayed remnants of a carpet run from the stairway out to each of the doorways at the end of each wing. A large throne-like chair stands in the middle of the eastern wing next to a big chest.
From behind the throne another troglodyte steps out. This one is a bit larger than the others but not near the size of Tulok. Some scale-like skins cover his body and in his hand is a finely crafted scimitar. He glares at you and shouts something at you as a albino crocodile scurries out from behind him.
Draconic:
You dare to step foot in the mighty Tasskar's domain. You shall die!!
I put everyone in order with Kerastes right at the top of the stairs. Please count each person you need to go through at 5 foot and remember to give me a fort save if you go within 30 feet of Tasskar.
Male Tiefling (Grimspawn) Alchemist(Grenadier)/2: HP (12/17): AC (18/touch=15/flat=15): Saves (Fort=4/Ref=6/Will=-1): Initiative +5: Perception +1: Sense Motive -1
Baru translates the Draconic for the rest of the party...
"We just found that Taskkar fellow. He intends to deprive us of life."
Baru moves up and out into the room...
"Oh, and of course, he's got a pet albino alligator!"
fort:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Baru draws back his empty hand, mumbles some words and jets it forward palm 1st towards Taskkar.
arcane bolt:
Arcane Bolt (Sp): Starting at 1st level, you can unleash a ray of magic force as a standard action, targeting any foe within 30 feet as a ranged touch attack. This ray deals 1d4 points of damage + 1 for every two sorcerer levels you possess. This damage is treated as a spell of a level equal to half your sorcerer level, and is a force effect. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier. This bloodline power replaces arcane bond.
Male Aasimar Cleric (Theologian) 1 | HP 10/10 | AC 16; Tch 10; FF 16 | Fort +3, Ref +0, Will +6 | Init +0 | Perc +6
Engleaktig cast Bless before we went up. I know that some of the effects will be superseded by Taliesin, but if she needs to stop singing for whatever reason, keep the +1 bonuses in mind.
Engleaktig intends to double move to get into the room. Is that possible, or will it draw an attack of opportunity from the alligator?
Engleaktig, yes it would provoke if you move past him, but not until you leave the top of the steps (where Rhu is right now).
Rhu Fort:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Kerastes moves off of the steps and strikes out with his spear, but the young crocodile spins away from the attack. The dodge puts him in perfect position for Rhu to lash out with a sharp punch that brings forth a cry of surprise and pain from the beast.
Balenar rushes up the steps, his rapier in his hand as he moves past the crocodile. The beast lashes out in anger, but the human manages to lightly step over the bite.
Bite:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Balenar Fort:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Balenar stabs at the crocodile hoping to finish the beast, but the strike goes wide.
Male Tiefling (Grimspawn) Alchemist(Grenadier)/2: HP (12/17): AC (18/touch=15/flat=15): Saves (Fort=4/Ref=6/Will=-1): Initiative +5: Perception +1: Sense Motive -1
Male Tiefling (Asura-spawn) Monk (zen archer)/5 HP 41/41 0 NL| AC17 T17 FF15| Fort +7/Ref +8/Will +8| Init +7| Perc +11| Sense Motive +7|Active conditions none
I'm guardedly hopeful that Baru's firework will drop the croc, but We Shall See. If so, then all we'll have to deal with is the conjured swarm and the trog.
The young crocodile manages to avoid the blast from the firework (has evasion), and snaps at Rhu catching the monk viciously. But as the creature bites down, it's injuries catch up to it and it collapses, leaving Rhu with only a very minor wound on the leg.
Flicking the red scrap of fabric into the air with a few final words, a smile breaks out on Tasskar face. From the cracks in the floor, a mass of spiders appear, grouping together and forming a living carpet under your feet. Some climb up your legs biting at exposed flesh.
Swarm Damage:1d6 ⇒ 5Balenar, Rhu, and Kalari all need Fort saves vs Poison
Tasskar then begins to chant again, a small ball of flame appearing in his hand.
Male Tiefling (Asura-spawn) Monk (zen archer)/5 HP 41/41 0 NL| AC17 T17 FF15| Fort +7/Ref +8/Will +8| Init +7| Perc +11| Sense Motive +7|Active conditions none
Rhu maintains his composure, even in the face of a myriad creepy-crawlies trying to get into his nose and ears and mouth. The telltale numbness around the bites, though, does not cheer him, and he retreats out of the swarm. He sends an arrow at the trog, but misses.
Fort save vs. poison:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Will save vs. distraction:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 Arrow to Tasskar, incl. bardic and banner buffs:1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 = 12
Human Bard 5 | HP 36/36 | AC 17; Tch 12; FF 15 | F +3; R +7; W +4 | CMB+3; CMD 15 | Speed 30 ft | Init +9 | MW Longspear: +4 (1d8/x3) | Perc +9
Can't seem to move my icon, but it doesn't really matter where I am for this...so long as I move within 30 feet. I'll move out of swarm and somewhere north and within 30' of the trog.
fort save vs. stench:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
fort save vs. distraction:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Taliesin turns a deeper shade of green, once again dry heaving as she enters the room.
"Why!?! ...the SMELLS!!!"
She looks darkly at the enemy. "Hey stinky! The sign says..." she takes a moment to double over in agony... "...'Slippery When Wet.' ...Watch your step!"
She flicks her wrist and casts grease.Target square with trog and square below him, as well as squares to the east of those two.
grease:
A grease spell covers a solid surface with a layer of slippery grease. Any creature in the area when the spell is cast must make a successful Reflex save or fall. A creature can walk within or through the area of grease at half normal speed with a DC 10 Acrobatics check. Failure means it can't move that round (and must then make a Reflex save or fall), while failure by 5 or more means it falls (see the Acrobatics skill for details). Creatures that do not move on their turn do not need to make this check and are not considered flat-footed.
Kerastes's spear finds it's mark, drawing a large amount of dark colored blood. The troglodyte leader lets out a scream at the wound as the ground at his feet is covered in grease, but Tasskar manages to keep his feet.
Male Tiefling (Grimspawn) Alchemist(Grenadier)/2: HP (12/17): AC (18/touch=15/flat=15): Saves (Fort=4/Ref=6/Will=-1): Initiative +5: Perception +1: Sense Motive -1
Baru will move up to within 15' from Tasskar, making sure a cone will not hit any of his party. Then cast color spray
"Your smelly lackeys didn't handle this well. Let's see how you like it!"
color spray:
Color Spray
School illusion (pattern) [mind-affecting]; Level sorcerer/wizard 1
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (red, yellow, and blue powder or colored sand)
Range 15 ft.
Area cone-shaped burst
Duration instantaneous; see text
Saving Throw Will negates; Spell Resistance yes
A vivid cone of clashing colors springs forth from your hand, causing creatures to become stunned, perhaps also blinded, and possibly knocking them unconscious. Each creature within the cone is affected according to its HD.
2 HD or less: The creature is unconscious, blinded, and stunned for 2d4 rounds, then blinded and stunned for 1d4 rounds, and then stunned for 1 round. (Only living creatures are knocked unconscious.)
3 or 4 HD: The creature is blinded and stunned for 1d4 rounds, then stunned for 1 round.
5 or more HD: The creature is stunned for 1 round.
Sightless creatures are not affected by color spray.
Tasskar begins to slowly move forward, trying to get close to Kerastes, but as his foot settles on the grease-slicked floor it slips out from under him and he falls to the ground.
Male Tiefling (Asura-spawn) Monk (zen archer)/5 HP 41/41 0 NL| AC17 T17 FF15| Fort +7/Ref +8/Will +8| Init +7| Perc +11| Sense Motive +7|Active conditions none
With everyone out of the swarm for the moment, Rhu pulls a flask from a belt pouch and hurls it at the mass of spiders. The flask goes wide, though, and only a little of the flaming liquid inside splashes on the swarm. I think I do a point of splash damage to it. The tiefling's training, though, enables him to resist the poison.
Male Tiefling (Grimspawn) Alchemist(Grenadier)/2: HP (12/17): AC (18/touch=15/flat=15): Saves (Fort=4/Ref=6/Will=-1): Initiative +5: Perception +1: Sense Motive -1
Baru's face shows considerable disappointment at the large smelly beast's ability to shrug off his color spray.
"Resourceful, mollis, aut felix? Nolo enim vos, hic finitur tempore!"
Draconic:
"Resourceful, resilient, or lucky? I don't care which you are, your time here is finished!"
Baru draws cocks a hand back as if ready to throw a punch, keeping the palm of his hand facing his target. As he jets his arm out, an almost transparent energy fires from the palm toward the Tasskar.
Arcane bolt:
Arcane Bolt (Sp): Starting at 1st level, you can unleash a ray of magic force as a standard action, targeting any foe within 30 feet as a ranged touch attack. This ray deals 1d4 points of damage + 1 for every two sorcerer levels you possess. This damage is treated as a spell of a level equal to half your sorcerer level, and is a force effect. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier. This bloodline power replaces arcane bond. (7/day)
Yeah Rhu you still do 1 point of splash damage to the swarm.
Tasskar Will:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
As Tasskar struggles on the ground, Baru and Kerastes's attack both miss (Baru you just missed due to him being prone), and Rhu tries to burn the spiders, but only singes a few of them.
Kalari and Balenar both move forward quickly, stabbing down with their rapiers. Tasskar just manages to avoid Balenar's blade, but Kalari stabs into the troglodyte's windpipe. After a moment of struggling, the creature stills, shallowly breathing.
The swarm, uncaring that it's summoner is down, scuttles toward Taliesin climbing up her legs and biting her.
Swarm Damage:1d6 ⇒ 4Please give me a Fort Save, DC 11
Male Aasimar Cleric (Theologian) 1 | HP 10/10 | AC 16; Tch 10; FF 16 | Fort +3, Ref +0, Will +6 | Init +0 | Perc +6
- Move Action: Move 20' towards Rhu.
- Free Action: "May the Healing Flame ease your pain."
- Standard Action: Channel Positive Energy (excluding enemies) (I have the Selective Channeling feat.) Be Healed!:1d6 ⇒ 2
Human Bard 5 | HP 36/36 | AC 17; Tch 12; FF 15 | F +3; R +7; W +4 | CMB+3; CMD 15 | Speed 30 ft | Init +9 | MW Longspear: +4 (1d8/x3) | Perc +9
All the color drains from Taliesin's face as the spiders accost her. Her screams are loud and ear-piercing as she flails her arms to get the spiders off her.
distraction:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Can I withdraw out of the swarm? If so, I'll use that action and move far to the south.
Actually Taliesin, you can just move. The swarm can't do AoOs so you can move out and still have an action.
Taliesin, you also know from the spellcraft on the summon swarm spell, that now that it's caster is dead, it should only last for a couple more rounds.
Kerastes flings a glob of acid at the mass of spiders, melting away a few of them, but it doesn't seem to affect the group much.
I'm sorry my friends, but I don't have much in the ways of dealing with a swarm. Balenar calls as he moves along the wall.
