Motteditor's Module Madness PBP (Inactive)

Game Master motteditor

"It's settled then," Isald says. "Mistress Greenshell and Mistress Balt shall room together, while I prepare separate rooms for Mistress Vegazi and Master Longhammer.

"Please, enjoy the hospitality of the tavern, while I get the rooms ready."

The rest of the night passes uneventfully, the inn serving a fine dinner. The common room fills quickly, a red-haired gnome descending from the second floor, as well as several Steaders. They leave a small space around you, though glances at them reveal they're spending much of their time watching you, as if they don't know what to make of you.

Vegazi sits huddled in her chair, looking extremely uncomfortable.

You can role-play here a bit, or question Vegazi or whatever; just let me know when you're ready to move on.

Lyra will try to draw the half-orc out and attempt to establish her as a non-threat to the locals. "You slew devils to save the Steaders even though you did not know them. Have you much experience in fighting devils? In protecting good folk?"

Vegazi shrugs uncomfortably at Lyra's attention.

"Don't know. Devils are bad, so ... just seemed right like thing to do."

She shovels some of the food into her mouth with her fingers, preventing her from answering further.

The gnome sits, nose buried in a farmer's almanac, several more borrowed books by his side. He devours the pile voraciously turning almost a half dozen pages a minute as his eyes dart back and forth behind smudged spectacles. He glances up from the page and begins to peer at the half-elf and half-orc by the fire. He walks purposefully toward them, warming his hands by the fire.

"Heard you had some trouble on the road. Bad business, bad business..." the gnome booms, clutching Lyra's hand and pulling her into a vigorous handshake. "Name's Sykes Shackleton. At your service. Ah! Supper! I'm so hungry I could eat the north end of a south-bound owlbear! Jolly good of you, Isald."

Accepting a bowl of dwarvish broth and a plate of blood-sausage from their dwarvish innkeep, the gnome sits down with the party without any hint of an invitation. "If you've a mind to be slaying more devils." he says, through a mouthful of supper. "You're going to need all the strong arms you can get, tangling with fiends. Might be we're heading in the same direction?"

motteditor informs me you fine folk are in need of a rogue. I'm looking forward to playing with you all!

Philgor nods to Shackleton and says, "Welcome friend. I am not sure where any of us are headed. We all had our reasons for coming to Atwyll Stead. Where we head from here is unknown but there is something strange going on here and it may well be that we stick together as brothers in arms against a common foe. Another strong arm is always welcome."

He turns to Vegazi, "What can you tell us of the Hell's Fury tribe?"

Vegazi shrugs diffidently.

"They are mean and love killing and slaving things. I left long ago my tribe. They are ... bad."

Vegazi shrugs diffidently.

"They are mean and love killing and slaving things. I left long ago my tribe. They are ... bad."

"You made the right choice, Miss Vegazi. A role model are you to the town, where the folk need to see an example of their homeland being defended." She placed her hand on the half-orc's. "Do you yet have a long-term place to stay here?"

As the gnome entered quite spontaneously, Ingrid raised an eyebrow. "Your manners sound as if they are from the same end of the same owlbear."

Lyra snorts at Inrid's comment. Embarrassed, she finishes her meal still smiling around each bite. She keeps stealing glances at Vegazi hoping the half-orc found it humorous as well.

"Welcome Skyes," she eventually says and introduces herself.

Argus fails to contain his laughter at Ingrid's wit. "Don't be so hard on the little fella - he's just trying to be polite."

"I don't know about slaying devils. Right now we're waiting for the town council to figure out what they're going to do with the local nobleman being dead."

"HA!" the gnome barks, thumping the table as he lets out a hearty chuckle. "No, man. She has the right of it! I do apologize, ma'am, but I left my social graces behind when I retired. I trust I haven't offended?"

"Old Wate? Yes, I'd heard just about as much. These Steaders are a sensible lot, however. Heads screwed on the right way to a man. Good folk. Forgive my impertinence, but I'd like to do them a good turn before I move on. Hardly the Lake Encarthan fishing trip I'd hoped for, but they've been most hospitable in my time here."

He gives Vegazi a searching look over the rims of his spectacles. "If it is your intent to settle, my dear, you've picked a fine place for it."

Ingrid gives him a cold stare, then blinks.

"If your help is half as enduring as your talk, the town is lucky for it. There are devils involved in this manner though; this is no menial task."

The priestess looked to the half-orc. "How long do you intend to stay in this place?" If she's in this for the long haul, it might be good to include her.

Vegazi shrugs.

"Don't know. Seems like crowd. Too many people. Maybe only stay short time."

The gnome does not seem deterred by Ingrid's sharp tone, and meets her gaze unflinching. In fact, if he notices the edge to her voice, he shows no sign of it. "Endurance, eh? Would that be for the journey or for that sharp tongue of yours?" he says, clearly enjoying himself.

"I hope you won't find fault with my manner, m'dear, but where I come from an introduction is usually payed back in kind."

The dwarf allowed herself a wry smile. "Ingrid of the Balt clan. I am here officially on business to arbitrate a property dispute. Unfortunately, it is difficult to resolve such a disagreement when there seem to be invaders of a hostile variety on the property, members of the authorities deceased without replacement, and the lack of a proper survey."

She took a sip of her drink. "We will see under which you buckle first. If you have no business, I intend to set to task in the dawn."

"Pleased to meet you, Ingrid of the Balt clan. Don't meet many judges on the frontier." the gnome says, tearing into a large bite of sausage and quaffing some ale.

"Quite right! Lose an hour in the morning, and you'll be all day hunting for it." the gnome says, puffing out his breast as he shares his own personal philosophy. "But we should give some thought as to how we're going to combat these devils. I know a warding spell that should give the blighters some pause, but I've heard that devilkind can't be harmed by ordinary weapons."

"...of course, you've given them a sound thrashing once already, so what's a second time, eh?"

Shackleton can prepare two protection from evil spells at CL3, and perhaps another with his arcane bond. Should we all chip in for some holy water, or are we confident with the resources we have?

As Philgor listens to the exchange between Shackleton and Ingrid and smiles.

This will be an interesting battle of wills.

He turns to Vegazi, "Do you know anything about the other person we found on the battlefield? I gathered her things but do not know if they are of any use to us. Can they be give us any clue as to who she was or where she came from?"

He shows the group the feather necklace, the staff, and the robes.

The tells Shackleton, "Besides the devils there was a creature that seemed to be half orc and half teifling. It was already dead when we arrived at the battle but we could not determine who had killed it."

"Yes, she was half-sister mine, Jagan. She with tribe was when I left," Vegazi replies.

--

Going to fast-forward a bit, but feel free to retcon some questions if you have.

Eventually, the meal is finished and, as it's late, bed calls for many of the other patrons, who leave, and yourself, who head upstairs.

The PCs awake in the night to the sound of splintering wood and crashing glass as the roar of battle erupts outside.

The night passes peacefully ... until you're suddenly awoken by the sound of splintering wood and crashing glass as the roar of battle erupts outside!

You are considered to have slept 8 hours for the purposes of regaining hit points and spells.

Further, everyone but Ingrid hears the sound of breaking glass coming from the southeastern bedroom, where Philgor is sleeping!

Shackleton is up in Round 1/2. Don't forget you were all asleep in bed, so likely won't have armor or weapons on.

And just a reminder about combat: I go turn based, so just post whenever you're turn is up. In this case, Shackleton should post his actions ASAP. Then I'll resolve it, have the antagonists go, and then everyone else will be up, posting as soon as they can (as opposed to waiting for their spot in initiative. Feel free to give me conditionals if you want (I attack Y unless Phil kills him, in which case I attack X), and I may modify actions if they make no sense by the time your turn comes up. As always, feel free to ask questions.

Assuming Ingrid is woken at some point, especially given the movement of her roommate:

Ingrid would be unarmored. It will be two full rounds after she is woken before she appears outside her room.

Know(Planes) for when the occasion arises: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

You're awake, Ingrid, just didn't hear the crash in Philgor's room. Since you're with Lyra, though, you'll likely be able to be led there.

"Erastil's antlers. Couldn't just be simple, could it.", Argus mutters as he crals out of bed, reaching for the utility vest draped over the back of a chair. As he passes into the hallway, he grabs his baton/walking stick/club from beside the door.

Grab gear and move toward Philgor's room. He has his club, bombs, and the remainder of yesterday's extracts. Maybe some small other alchemical items. Doesn't have his armor or other splash weapons. Not that he'd much want to use them indoors anyway.

Philgor jumps up at the sound of the crashing glass and grabs the short sword he keeps nearby.

"There is nothing for you here devils? Leave now or I will send you back to hell myself!"

AC 11 at the moment

Lyra jumps up slower than normal. Light sleeping is for the road not inns. "Ingrid, something is happening down the hall. Sounds big. This way," Lyra grabs her bow, candles & sickle and heads toward the commotion.

Shackleton awakes, bleary-eyed but well used to the morning chill. He tosses aside the bedclothes and leaps from the bed, slipping into his boots in one fluid, practiced motion.

Tying his laces with prestidigitation, he grabs his spell component pouch and slams his door open. "Right! What's all this hubbub?" he bellows, stomping his way into the hall. I'm not sure if I'm restricted to a single action as per the surprise round, but I'll grab my components and also my mace and buckler if I'm able to in the space of time and move out the door.

Shackleton awakes, bleary-eyed but well used to the morning chill. He tosses aside the bedclothes and leaps from the bed, slipping into his boots in one fluid, practiced motion.

Tying his laces with prestidigitation, he grabs his spell component pouch and slams his door open. "Right! What's all this hubbub?" he bellows, stomping his way into the hall. I'm not sure if I'm restricted to a single action as per the surprise round, but I'll grab my components and also my mace and buckler if I'm able to in the space of time and move out the door.

Round One:
"What the devil's going on in... Devils!" the gnome says, hovering in the doorway. He pauses for a moment, steeling himself as he navigates the morning haze of his mind, his hands begin to crackle with electricity. Arcane Bond: Shocking Grasp

Moving into the room, into a flank if possible, Shackleton begins to bob and weave with a boxer's form, slugging at the nearest creature.

Untrained Knowledge: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Touch Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Shocking Grasp: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 1) = 5 Sneak Attack: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Critical Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 4) = 14

Edit: Added Round One action, axed my Acrobatics roll (not really certain where the imps will be next round.) AC 14, or 15 with my buckler.

Philgor realizes the imps are right on top of him, one of their scorpion-like tails slamming into his exposed flesh. 4 hp; need a DC 13 Fort save or take 2 Dex damage. He rolls away from a second sting, though suffers a second wound from the first as he climbs to his feet. 3 more hp; need another DC 13 Fort save if you succeed at the first to avoid taking 1 Dex damage.

Grabbing his sword up, he swings, the blow slamming into the first of the imps, though the second drops below the follow-through. The first's wounds, looking grievous on the small creature, immediately start to close with infernal speed. It has DR 5

The imp stabs again, tail hitting home a third time, this time directly into Philgor's chest 5 hp, plus again need a DC 13 Fort save only if you succeeded at the previous ones, to avoid 2 pts. of Dex damage. The second's tail stabs into Philgor's bed for a third time, once again missing the warrior, as the creature makes for the door, pulling it open.

Hearing the commotion, Shackleton races to his feet, sword in hand and makes it out the door. That's got a lot going on in that post, probably a bit more than a round and a half worth, considering it's a move action to stand up and to open the door. I placed you outside your door, but you haven't had a chance to activate your magic. He sees Vegazi's door pulled open, the half-orc looking around with wild eyes. He sees Philgor's door open, a small red head looking out of it.

In their room, Ingrid and Lyra grab their weapons as they climb to their feet, the dwarf reaching out to open their door, while Argus collects his belongings and finds his footing in his own room.

Entire party is up now. Shackleton's door is open and he's outside it, while Ingrid and Lyra's door is also open.

What are the current lighting conditions?

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 pass

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 fail

Philgor feels the stings of the imp and lashes out connecting with the creature but missing the second. A slight dizziness comes over him as the venom enters in bloodstream. He plants his feet and takes a mighty swing at the creature hurting him.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 - 1 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8

If I can cleave

Cleave: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 1 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11

AC is 8 at this time

Let's call it normal light because pre-dawn grayness outside and lamps inside.

And that damage tally is correct, Philgor.

Lyra moves into the hall and lines up with Philgor's door notching an arrow as she goes. "More spawn!" she shouts and lets loose an arrow.

twangPB bow: 1d20 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 11, thwipdmg: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

One diagonal from current location, but moving through the door to get there.

Seeing the necessity of action, Ingrid plods towards the partially-visible imp through the door. I forget the exact hellspawn, but they are not to last long under my watch.

Cautious as always though, she called upon Abadar for protection.

"Shun their blows, lord of the cities!"

Barkskin. +2 bonus to natural armor.

Waiting on Shackleton and Argus.

Hearing the shouts about more devils, Argus wishes he had another extract of shield. Note to self - brew new ones before retiring for the night, rather than upon rising in the morning.

He sighs and shoves open his door, slipping out into the hall so he can get a better idea what is going on and figure out how to help.

Move action to open the door. Second move action to step out and move 20 feet down the hall, to the corner at the top of the stairs, where he'll have cover.

My mistake, hadn't processed that round one actions had been posted already.

Shocking Grasp: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 Yikes, any chance I could use my last roll? :P
Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 3) = 11

Shackleton will rumble down the hall and unleash his spell.

Philgor's blade again catches the nearest devil, though the second is too far for him to catch with the swing. Again, though, its wound quickly close, leaving a far smaller cut than he'd expected, and its tail impales him for a third time, even as he feels the poison still coursing through his system. 3 more hp; DC 13 Fort save or take 2 Dex damage

Outside, he can hear sounds of movement, and sees an arrow come flying into the room, unfortunately missing the devil that opened the door.

It's followed a moment later by a small hand, crackling with electricity, that swipes at the devil, which ducks under the attack and again lashes out in a wild arc with its stinger tail, failing to make contact with the gnome, who ducks under the blow.

Vegazi, wearing nothing but her bare skin, comes out with bow and quiver in hand, moving next to Lyra to try to line up shots of her own. She squints, trying to see what you're fighting.

Party is up.

Lyra slides in behind Ingrid and makes a gesture as if drawing an arrow. With some accompanying arcane words she completes the gesture and lets go. A bolt of arcane energy streaks into the room and smashes into the wall. As the energy spatters out it grows into a solid form, streaks of energy becoming six legs, thorax and the head of a giant ant.

The ant's mandibles clack briefly then it bites at the devil.

bite: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 2 = 20, (flanking) dmg: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 plus grab: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 AC 15, 1/3 rounds

The room getting cramped, Ingrid invoked further protection and got out of the way - but the protection was for the eccentric newcomer, not herself. Let him prove his mettle.

"May The Keeper of the Vault Protect you."

She touched his shoulder, conferring the blessing.

Shield of faith gives Shackleton a +2 deflection bonus to AC/CMD. Ingrid then moves back, adjacent to Lyra.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Philgor roars as he is stung again. He swings again concentrating on the one in front of him.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 1 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6

Cuts and scratches. It's going to take awhile to see which of us drops first.

Shocking Grasp (touch): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Shocking Grasp (prescience reroll): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Still holding the charge, Shackleton makes another swipe, but the creature eludes him once again. "Bloody well stay still so I can give you the ol' what-for!" the gnome grunts. "Philgor! How are you holding up?"

TIL that it's a full action to move through someone's space with Acrobatics (and you have to drop prone to do so) rather than the DC25 check it used to be in 3.5. I hope this is the last of my bad dice luck, but otherwise I'll be ready to clear out of melee.

I don't know what the AC is, but Shackleton should have flanking with ant.

Damage + Sneak Attack (If flanking is enough to make the difference): 4d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 3, 2) = 12

Philgor scratches the devil once again even as it stings him once again, tail dripping the warriors blood all over the floor. 2 more hp; DC 13 Fort save or take 1 Dex damage

On the other side of the room, Ingrid's spell forms a shimmering shield around Shackleton, as the suddenly appearing ant's distraction gives the gnome just enough of a distraction to hit the imp with his electrically charged touch. The ant chomps down on the creature, but can't hold on as it lashes out futilely at Shackleton. Man, imp 2 sucks...

Argus waits for an opening to put his alchemy to use.

Entire party is up; I'll "see" you all Thursday/Friday.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 - 1 = 10

Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Philgor can feel that he is losing this battle. He must hold on a little longer for his friends to arrive.

Looking around the room for a weapon that will do more damage he spots the staff with the totem fetishes and decides that would be a better one than the shortsword he is using.

move action to either grab it or shift towards it

Ingrid waits for an opening with the devils, leaving the combat to those more accustomed. It seems the small one is holding his own...

Hold Action.

Argus's hands search his vest for something of use. Can't use bombs inside a wooden building. Not that fire did much to the last batch of devils he faced down.

Ah ha! His fist closes around an iron spike - that he'd normally use to create a foothold in rock, or perhaps to create a crevice to pack explosives into. He pulls it from its loop on the side of the vest and flicks it overhand toward one of the imps.

Iron spike, Point-blank shot, Precise shot, Throw Anything: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 = 23
1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

Argus will take the five foot step back to the hallway proper if that is necessary to avoid giving the imp cover.

Lyra bow bends and straitens again loud thock as another arrow is loosed.
thwip: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 - 4 = 12, thock: 1d8 ⇒ 6 point blank, but not precise.

The ant clacks and bites at the devil again.

bite: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14 (flanking) dmg: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 plus grab: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
AC 15, 2/3 rounds

Unarmed Strike (Provokes, AC 20): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Non-Lethal Damage: 1d2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (1) = 2 Bah. Minimum damage. Unfortunately I can only reroll D20s. Hang in there, Philgor!

His spell discharged, Shackleton redoubles his assault with wild swings of his fists.

Forgot Vegazi's action last round; her arrow hit ... but seemed to bounce off the imp's tough hide.

Philgor swings wildly but his stiffening muscles foul his aim, and the blade passes several inches above the grinning imp's head. Dropping his sword, he edges toward the staff and grabs it from where it was leaning against the wall, the imp's stinger catching him once again. 2 more hp; plus DC 14 Fort save or take 1 Dex damage

Argus' spike hits the second imp, but like Vegazi's arrow a split-second earlier, it bounces off harmlessly. The creature ducks Lyra's arrow and the ant's mandibles and then lets Shackleton's fist scrape harmlessly against its infernal hide as its stinger catches him in the side. 3 hp; plus DC 14 Fort save or take 1 Dex damage

Calling out something in a horrid language that burns the ears, "Kukhona yena! Ziba Lokho One, ngiye ngakuthola sibheke!," it tries to rush past Shackleton toward the naked half-orc provoking an AoO, but can't find a gap between the gnome and the door frame.

It tries again and has just cleared Shackleton's head when Vegazi's arrow catches it in the eye and it falls limply to the ground, where it begins to melt away. So I guess you can ignore that AoO...

Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

"Cayden's teeth!" Shackleton grunts as the stinger pierces his side. He lets out a few laboured breaths but seems to shake it off. He gives the imp a slug in the guts as it tries to bypass him, before it's dispatched by Vegazi. Rounding on the remaining imp, he springs upward to deliver a sharp uppercut, heedless of the imp's stinger.

AoO: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Damage: 1d2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (6) = 7

Unarmed Strike (provokes): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Damage: 1d2 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (5) = 6

Argus begins to relax as the imp falls, only to realize there is another devil tucked inside the room when Shackleton moves forward to keep fighting. He grabs his other metal spike and prepares to skewer any other foes that become visible through the doorway.

Ready an action to throw the spike at anything that looks devilish or hostile.

Spike, point blank shot, precise shot, throw anything: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

Unlikely to break DR, but he has to at least try to help.