Navior's Serpent's Skull

Game Master Navior

"Use Talky's blood," Pezock says. "Or maybe the ash around the door."

"We should see what else is down here. She might have made more than one stop in these caverns."

Douena will carry her glowing bone chip back to the cavern with the pool. "Which tunnel now?" she asks.

You return across the cathedral-like chamber to the cavern with the pool. As you are moving out onto the ledge, two ghouls step out, one on each of the western ledges. The one on the northwestern ledge, a female with a long tongue and wearing a tattered dress, calls out, "More visitors! How resourceful! I am Nylithati. I am prepared to reward you for your resourcefulness by offering you immortality. Do you accept? Her tongue twitches in the air expectantly.

I have added a picture of Nylithati to the website.

Map Updated

Douena clutches her wooden butterfly a bit nervously. "Your last visitor, a snake-lady? Did she accept?"

Nylithati grins and her tongue twitches. "That is unimportant. Do you accept. Answer now or feed our hunger!"

Cue the initiative roll.
Urza points and a ray of positive energy shoots from his hand to the ghoul.
Disrupt Undead: RTouch
to hit 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 damage 1d6 ⇒ 5

You will accept our fists of fury! We must kungfu fight!

Mahjik grins at the undead creature: "Wise man would hark on irony. I believe you're the first to offer us a chance not to fight. Oddly, I think you're the first we have no choice but to end. But allow me to offer you a truce in turn: divulge what we want to know, and we'll spare you."

Lorenz's surprise at finding a creature so ghastly -- and apparently female for all of that -- is so great that he only stands there with his mouth open for a few moments as Urza attacks and Mahjik belatedly attempts to offer terms.

When his brain finally catches on to what's going on around him, Lorenz comes to the conclusion that Urza has the right of it. He pulls the string on his bow taut and lets fly with an arrow.

I think Lorenz might be within range for a point blank shot. If I'm wrong, just deduct 1 from the attack and damage rolls.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

When his brain finally catches on to what's going on around him, Lorenz comes to the conclusion that Urza has the right of it. He pulls the string on his bow taut and lets fly with an arrow.

I think Lorenz might be within range for a point blank shot. If I'm wrong, just deduct 1 from the attack and damage rolls.

You are within 30 ft of ghoul #4, but not Nylithati, whom I think you're aiming at.

Nylithati hisses as the beam from Urza shoots out and narrowly misses her (she has cover from Urza's position, which is why the otherwise good roll still misses her flat-footed touch AC). Mahjik is only part way through his offer when she says, "Food it is, then," and Lorenz's arrow scrapes across her hand.

Douena Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Lorenz Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Mahjik Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Makoa Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Urza Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Pezock Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Ghouls Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Nylithati Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Order: Pezock, Mahjik, Nylithati, Lorenz, Ghouls, Douena, Urza, Makoa.

ROUND 1

Active Magical Effects:
Mage armour (Urza, Mahjik, Pezock)

"Yes, you will be the food!" Pezock yells. He moves out of the corridor to the northwester side of the ledge you're on (T28), pulling out his fancy Red Mantis dagger. He flings it across the gulf at Nylithati.

Pezock dagger at Nylithati: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 2 = 5 -- miss

The dagger hits the rocky wall of the ledge well below Nylithati's feet.

Next Up: Mahjik, Nylithati, Lorenz, Ghouls, Douena, Urza, Makoa, Pezock.

Map Updated

To clarify the map: The 2 ghouls are on the 10-feet-up ledges, and Lorenz's end of our ledge is the one that goes down to pool level, right? And we already learned the pool is about 10 feet deep.

To clarify the map: The 2 ghouls are on the 10-feet-up ledges, and Lorenz's end of our ledge is the one that goes down to pool level, right? And we already learned the pool is about 10 feet deep.

That's correct.

"Yes, you will be the food!" Pezock yells.

I'm suddenly no longer hungry...

I actually meant that as my first round action. Oh well. I'll move to get a better shot and do it again.
Disrupt Undead: RTouch
to hit 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 damage 1d6 ⇒ 2

I actually meant that as my first round action. Oh well. I'll move to get a better shot and do it again.

Disrupt Undead: RTouch
to hit 1d20+3 damage 1d6

Ah, well you got an extra turn out of it, as I gave it to you as a surprise round action. I'm not one of those GMs who requires you to stand still while a villain delivers a monologue. If the villain wants to talk and you want to shoot, go right ahead. :)

Round 1, Initiative 22
AC 21; HP 32/32
Move action: to Y26
Standard action: attack ghoul
Attack, power attack 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 - 1 = 6 damage 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 = 7

Mahjik dashes passed Douena and Lorenz, taking the southern path around the pool. He gets enough momentum to strike at the ghoul before him; but just on the last moment his footing slips on the edge of the pool and his attack goes wide.

Mahjik, I don't think you can reach the ghouls with a melee attack. The ledge we're on slopes down to the floor with the pool, and the ledges the ghouls on are 10 feet up from that.

hmmm... assuming that 40 movespeed is enough to get near them, Mahjik can then instead ready his attack for them coming closer (that attack promptly goes awry with the roll above).

hmmm... assuming that 40 movespeed is enough to get near them, Mahjik can then instead ready his attack for them coming closer (that attack promptly goes awry with the roll above).

Unfortunately, MapTool isn't very good at showing elevations. The little grey lines radiating outwards on the map indicate the cliff edge. At any rate, you can move to Y26 without problem and then ready an action for if ghoul #4 (or Nylithati or any others) come down and near.

As Mahjik moves down the ledge, Nylithati cries, "We will feast well today!" She points down at Mahjik. "May the great Lord Ydersius fill you with fear!"

Mahjik Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 -- pass

Mahjik feels a coldness and terrible fear come over him. For a brief moment, he almost feels overcome with panic, but he manages to push most of the sensation away, leaving only a small sense of dread lingering. He is shaken for 1 round (-2 on attacks, saves, skill checks, and ability checks).

Nylithati hisses, clearly annoyed that her spell did not have the effect she wanted it to. She backs up down the passage and out of sight.

Next Up: Lorenz, Ghouls, Douena, Urza, Makoa, Pezock, Mahjik (subject to readied action), Nylithati.

Map Updated

Lorenz is a little relieved the crazy unlike undead woman with the awful tongue backs away and turns his attention to the other ghoul.

Point Blank Rapid Shot #1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Point Blank Rapid Shot #2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

"Aaargh!" Despite the chill in his limbs, shaking his head loose from the mental grip Mahjik still offers some flippancy, "Wise man fears nothing but fear itself! Come at me if you dare!"

Lorenz's arrows fly true, both lodging in the ghoul's chest. With a growl, it stumbles back down the southwest passage and out of sight. In the distance, you hear yells from Nylithati in some other language. Down the northwest passage, Makoa and Douena notice shapes move past the very edge of their vision and then out of sight again.

Although there are currently no enemies in sight, this battle is most definitely not over, and we remain in rounds. :)

Next Up: Douena, Urza, Makoa, Pezock, Mahjik (subject to readied action), Nylithati, Lorenz, Ghouls.

Map Updated

"Ydersius!" Douena repeats happily. "I thought that was who it might be -- the name of the snakey sacred lord," she explains. "There's that bit of the riddle solved. May Desna's own luck guard you," she adds, turning and touching Makoa. casting protection from evil on Makoa "Now go climb up there and get them. Pezock, I'll get your dagger for you." She moves down the slope in the ledge and starts around the pool toward where Pezock's dagger fell, carrying the light with her. If Mahjik decides to climb up the ledge and go in after the ghouls, he can get it from her. move as far as she can get to Pezock's dagger; I think she can get up to Mahjik this round

Douena casts her spell and moves down the slope (reaching X26) beside Mahjik.

What has Mahjik done with his lantern? Is he still carrying it?

Next Up: Urza, Makoa, Pezock, Mahjik (subject to readied action), Nylithati, Lorenz, Ghouls, Douena.
I know Urza already posted an action above, but as he no longer has a target for that action, he may wish to revise. :)

Map Updated

Urza will get into a position to use Disrupt Undead when a ghoul appears. Please use my prior roll.

Makoa growls as he sees that there are still more enemies to be taken down.

"Let's hope Desna keeps her luck to us!"

Readied action to throw an axe at any undead that show up near Douena and Mahjik, even with the penalty for throwing outside of his ranged increment. Otherwise, he'll just swing at whatever comes out of the tunnels closest to him.

Urza moves up into the room and prepares to fire a spell, while Makoa readies his axe.

ROUND 2

Active Magical Effects:
Mage armour (Urza, Mahjik, Pezock)
Protection from evil (Makoa)
shaken (Mahjik) -- will end on Nylithati's turn

"Bah! They are cowards!" Pezock cries. He hurries along the ledge towards the southeastern passage (to X29), drawing his sabre as he moves. "We need light down this passage if we are to take the battle to them!" He stops by the mouth of the passage to wait for light (ready action to continue moving if passage is lit).

Next Up: Mahjik, Nylithati, Lorenz, Ghouls, Douena, Urza (subject to readied action), Makoa (subject to readied action), Pezock (subject to readied action).

Map Updated

Round 2, Initiative 22
AC 21; HP 32/32

Mahjik climbs up the ledge going to Y24, picking up two rocks that weigh well in his hands. "Little One, can you get some more light up here for me? Or make me one of those glowing things?"

Round 2, Initiative 22

AC 21; HP 32/32

Mahjik climbs up the ledge going to Y24, picking up two rocks that weigh well in his hands. "Little One, can you get some more light up here for me? Or make me one of those glowing things?"

Mahjik does already have a lantern (I guessed you missed my earlier question of what he did with it), but of course, he can't carry that and climb at the same time. It's a DC 5 Climb check to reach up, grab the ledge and pull himself up (no taking 10 in combat, so with his shaken condition, there's a slim chance of failure).

Mahjik pulls himself up onto the ledge.

Somewhere in the caves, Nylithati performs her actions for the round.

Next Up: Lorenz, Ghouls, Douena, Urza (subject to readied action), Makoa (subject to readied action), Pezock (subject to readied action), Mahjik, Nylithati.

Map Updated

Lorenz keeps pulling arrows and firing them at the nasty undead creature.

Point Blank Rapid Shot #1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Confirm Critical!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Crit Damage (if applicable): + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Looks like total damage for a crit is going to be 12. Whew!

Point Blank Rapid Shot #2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Sadly, the nasty undead creature withdrew down the tunnel on its turn so Lorenz has no one to crit. :( Maybe the DM will let you save the roll for when you have a target?

Alas, as Douena says, there's no target for Lorenz. However, I will allow you to save the roll for when there is a target. How would you like to revise this round's actions?

Alas, as Douena says, there's no target for Lorenz. However, I will allow you to save the roll for when there is a target. How would you like to revise this round's actions?

Can I recover Mahjik's crit from earlier that Lorenz invalidated by walking in the way? :p

Oops. I must have temporarily taken leave of my senses when I posted last night. I don't remember having anything to drink... Sorry about that!

Lorenz looks uncertainly into the tunnels. "I've got a really bad feeling about this."

Moving slowly, half poised to run, he follows after Pezock. But keeping 10 to 15 feet back.

Also, since it appears to be a shortbow, the crit modifier is x3, while Lorenz only seems to have rolled damage twice.

Lorenz looks uncertainly into the tunnels. "I've got a really bad feeling about this."

Moving slowly, half poised to run, he follows after Pezock. But keeping 10 to 15 feet back.

Since Pezock is currently paused, awaiting light, keeping 10 to 15 feet behind him would actually involve Lorenz moving back at the moment. I'll assume you're readying until after Pezock has moved forward.

In the small amount of light that is currently penetrating the southwestern passage, Mahjik notices a ghoulish form cut across his vision to the east side and another becomes just barely noticeable on the west side. They appear to be waiting for him to approach them.

Next Up: Douena, Urza (subject to readied action), Makoa (subject to readied action), Pezock (subject to readied action), Mahjik, Nylithati, Lorenz (subject to readied action).

Map Updated

When Mahjik asks for light, Douena grumbles, "You could have taken it up there with you, you know, instead of making me throw it." Looking up at the ledge, she tries to toss the bone chip so it doesn't hit Mahjik and bounce back down at her.

While I don't think even I could miss tossing a pebble down a tunnel right in front of me, I could certainly bounce one off the wall and have it come down on my head from 10 feet down, so attack roll: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 (hopefully the AC of hitting some part of the ledge up there isn't too high)

If it bounces back down, Douena will move to go get it; if it falls into the pond, she will pull out a new bone chip to magic; if it actually lands somewhere near where she wants it to be, she'll keep moving toward Pezock's dagger.

Douena tosses the light bone, which arcs over the edge of the ledge and lands only a couple feet from Mahjik's feet. Its light spreads out through the southwest passage, illuminating a chamber and the two waiting ghouls. Bones lie strewn about the cavern. They have all been gnawed on so that they are rough and jagged.

Douena continues on and reaches Pezock's dagger.

Next Up: Urza, Makoa (subject to readied action), Pezock (subject to readied action), Mahjik, Nylithati, Lorenz, Ghouls (subject to readied actions), Douena.

Map Updated
The second light source is Mahjik's lantern, which I'm presuming he left below the ledge.

Urza grows concerned and moves to AA 29 to inspect that tunnel. "These tunnels may connect. If they do, we can't give them time to surround us."

He will turn back if he doesn't see any enemies and he sees no other exits.

If there is another exit, but no enemies, Urza will explore that exit.

If there is one enemy, Urza will cast Disrupt Undead
Disrupt Undead: RTouch
to hit 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 damage 1d6 ⇒ 5

If there are multiple enemies, Urza will try to get at least two of them with a Burning Hands.
Burning Hands 3d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1, 2) + 4 = 8 dc 14 for half

Concentration 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Moving into the southeast corridor, Urza sees that it quickly opens up into another cavern. Faint carvings are visible on the east wall. There is a passage extending to the west from here. Following this passage, he sees that it then opens up into yet another cavern filled with bones. There are two ghouls in this room (they happen to be the same two that are near Mahjik, although Urza can't see Mahjik from this position). He has used 55 ft of movement to get to this spot (AB 24). He could go another 5 ft, but that would put him in reach of ghoul #5, so I presumed he would stop here, which is when he first sees the ghouls.

Next Up: Makoa, Pezock (subject to readied action), Mahjik, Nylithati, Lorenz (subject to readied action), Ghouls (subject to readied action), Douena, Urza.

Map Updated

Urza is not averse to going back a step, putting the distance between him and the ghoul at 10 ft. Just saying.

Urza is not averse to going back a step, putting the distance between him and the ghoul at 10 ft. Just saying.

Sure, no problem. I've moved him back 5 ft.

Can we assume that Mahjik strapped the lantern to his belt or something? Either way:

Mahjik motions at the figures in the dark, extending his arm and wiggling his fingers in a come hither motion, "I know what you're thinking. 'Why did he ask for the bone light, when he has a lantern?' Right?" Mahjik grins into the dimness, "That's because this bone is lighted by the divine light of Desna herself. It burns with goodness. Come! Come if you dare."

In the hopes that I can post something that actually makes sense...

Desiring firmer ground and access to a relatively dependable retreat, Lorenz moves back to the opening they'd originally entered from, where he can cover all the other entrances.

Move to T30.

If he cannot see well, he'll lower his bow and use his remaining hand and movement to draw a sunrod.

Can we assume that Mahjik strapped the lantern to his belt or something? Either way:

I suppose he could have done so while they were searching the cathedral. Indeed, now that I think of it, he must have done something with it to allow his attacks in the previous battles. So I'll allow it. I will point out, though, that this leaves Pezock, Lorenz, and Douena (who don't have darkvision) without a light source to use in the southeast corridor, which will likely annoy Pezock no end. :)

Map Updated
Not much has changed, but I've removed the extra light source from the map and once again made Mahjik a "light source", and that has revealed a tiny bit more of the cavern.

Though technically there is nothing preventing Mahjik to hold the lamp and use it as an improvised weapon (he's a monk of the empty hand after all); or simply flurry using the back of the hand, the other arm, elbow, legs, and so forth. - Though I must admit, I had completely forgotten about his lamp :P

Okay, I'll post for Makoa again. :)

Makoa follows after Urza, stopping just behind him (at AB 26).

ROUND 3

Active Magical Effects:
Mage armour (Urza, Mahjik, Pezock)
Protection from evil (Makoa)

"Light!" Pezock cries. "Unlike Big Teeth and the wizard, I can't see in the dark!" Readies to move as soon as there's light.

Next Up: Mahjik, Nylithati, Lorenz, Ghouls (subject to readied actions), Douena, Urza, Makoa, Pezock (subject to readied action)

Map Updated

Round 3, Initiative 22
AC 21; HP 32/32
Full-round: flurry rocks at #6

Mahjik grins as he tosses the two stones he picked up at the one undead he can see somewhat clearly. The tunnel is to narrow to properly give him room to move, and both shots ricochet harmlessly off the walls. "Wise man occasionally says 'bugger'. I guess this would be such a time," he mumbles.

Attack 1, ranged flurry 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Attack 2, ranged flurry 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 damage 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

The two ghouls hiss and sneer as Mahjik's stones bounce away without hitting them.

Somewhere out of sight, Nylithati performs her actions.

Next Up: Lorenz, Ghouls (subject to readied actions), Douena, Urza, Makoa, Pezock (subject to readied action), Mahjik, Nylithati.

Lorenz reaches into his pack and grabs a sunrod, striking it so that light illuminates the area he and Pezock are in.

"How's that, Pezock? Maybe now you can call me Lightbringer!"