[PFS] GM Skipper's Echoes of the Everwar series (Inactive)

Game Master SkipperD

kn Planes vs elemental: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (5) + 21 = 26

Nuar will pull his selective metamagic rod from his handy haversack and defensively cast an Intensified Empowered Fireball from a 5th level Adding a bit of saltpeter as well.

Wanting the elemental to experience the full brunt of the Fireball Nuar will try to send the bead right next to it.

ranged touch attack inc haste: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 1 = 19

The attack provokes. I presume since I'm just aiming for a spot next to it I need a 5 plus the cover bonus. If it has fire resist 30 or immunity Nuar will use cold and deal 19 less damage. And since I'm putting it next to the elemental me and Eolowyn are just out of range.

Fireball: 12d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 3, 6, 6, 1, 2, 1, 1, 3, 4, 1) = 30 So 45 +36 +4 +1 =86 fire damage. DC 24 Ref for half, Hopefully with no cover bonuses.

Shel wounds the nearest gargoyle.

AoO v Naur: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (12) + 21 = 33
Damage: 2d10 + 10 ⇒ (1, 5) + 10 = 16 <-False Life eats most of it

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Naur and the greater earth elemental (2 questions) exchange spells and blows, with the elemental getting the worse deal.

The fiendish gargoyle flies up behind Torvald and attacks.

Attack v Torvald: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Crit?: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Slashing damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 + Electricity damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Combat Round 1
Bold may act
____________________________________
Naur (1 damage), Shel
Half-fiend gargoyle
Torvald (15 damage)
Gargoyles (yellow: 26 damage; green: -4 attack; red: 4 damage; blue: 13 damage)
Bauble (6 damage), Eolowyn (27 damage, prone), Vladek
Elemental (86 damage, improved cover)

For Nuar his questions will nearly always be in order 1.Defenses, 2. Vulnerabilities, 3. Senses. I started asking the senses questions when one of my Wizards wasted 2 persistent Glitterdusts in the same module against enemies that didn't need to see.

With a flick of the reins Torvald directs Ka to one side before unleashing him against green.

SQUAAAAAAWK!

Ka Bite, Haste, Divine Favour: 1d20 + 13 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 13 + 1 + 3 = 30
Bite damage: 1d8 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 3 = 15

Ka Bite, Haste, Divine Favour: 1d20 + 13 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 13 + 1 + 3 = 26
Bite damage: 1d8 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 3 = 13

Ka Talon, Haste, Divine Favour: 1d20 + 13 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 13 + 1 + 3 = 36
Talon damage: 1d6 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 3 = 14
Grab: 1d20 + 18 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 18 + 1 + 3 = 39

Ka Talon, Haste, Divine Favour: 1d20 + 13 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 13 + 1 + 3 = 36
Talon damage: 1d6 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 3 = 14
Grab: 1d20 + 18 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 18 + 1 + 3 = 24

Ka's attacks are magical but otherwise do not get through DR

Meanwhile Torvald swings his longspear around in a glittering arc at the fiendish gargoyle assaulting him.

I could perhaps do with a hand over here! he shouts.

Spear, Haste, PA, DF, Mounted: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 1 - 2 + 3 + 1 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 11 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 6 + 3 = 21

Spear, Haste, PA, DF, Mounted: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 15 + 1 - 2 + 3 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 11 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 6 + 3 = 26

Spear, Haste, PA, DF, Mounted: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 1 - 2 + 3 + 1 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 11 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 6 + 3 = 22

I could definitely do with some help up here!

It should be BLUE who suffers the Eye.

@Naur: DR/— and elemental traits.

Ka struggles with the gargoyle's tough hide but latches on to one of them. Torvald grievously wounds the half-fiend.

The four gargoyles attack, two on Bauble, one on Torvald and the grappled one on Ka.

@Bauble: You can't learn the AC or HD of creatures, especially intelligent ones, that may or may not have class levels. Resistance-wise, you the same as Naur about the half-fiend (resist [acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10, fire 10] and SR).

Combat Round 1
Bold may act
____________________________________
Naur (1 damage), Shel
Half-fiend gargoyle (43 damage)
Torvald (13 damage)
Gargoyles (yellow: 26 damage; green: 16 damage, grappled; red: 4 damage; blue: 13 damage, -4 attack)
Bauble (14 damage), Eolowyn (27 damage, prone), Vladek
Elemental (86 damage, improved cover)

Hearing Torvald's cry for assistance, Vladek wickedly twists spacetime around the half-fiend (who must make a DC 23 Will save or suffer the Retribution Hex for 8 rounds; it's a supernatural ability, so SR doesn't apply)...

...while Qadathra zaps one of Torvald's tormentors.

magic missile vs green: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 2 = 7

Sorry, just to be clear, Ka has an amulet of mighty fists so does get through DR/Magic, they just don't get through anything else. Also I think I have now taken 18 damage not 10.

@Torvald: In that case...

Ka rips a gargoyle to shreds while Vladek and Qadathra soften up the others harassing Torvald.

Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Combat Round 1
Bold may act
____________________________________
Naur (1 damage), Shel
Half-fiend gargoyle (43 damage, hexed)
Torvald (18 damage)
Gargoyles (yellow: 33 damage; red: 4 damage; blue: 13 damage, -4 attack)
Bauble (14 damage), Eolowyn (27 damage, prone), Vladek
Elemental (86 damage, improved cover)

These things are not nice. Not nice at all. First Bauble uses a swift action to bolster his blade with his arcane pool for a +3 enhancement bonus. That puts it up to +6 which is able to bypass DR. He will not get his precision damage bonus of +9 due to elemental traits.

Bauble steps out of the flank and attacks red, using arcane mark/spell combat for an additional strike (auto success on concentration). That makes 4 attacks with haste. What fun.

Ha! Take that winged nasties!

Bauble had a 28 AC if the haste and shield were active so that attack may have missed - unless he was still flat-footed in which case it hit. I'll assume he was flat footed and deduct the HP.

@Bauble: Yup, you were flat-footed.

Bauble slices and dices a gargoyle, cutting it down with three strikes.

Combat Round 1
Bold may act
____________________________________
Naur (1 damage), Shel
Half-fiend gargoyle (43 damage, hexed)
Torvald (18 damage)
Gargoyles (yellow: 33 damage; blue: 13 damage, -4 attack)
Bauble (14 damage), Eolowyn (27 damage, prone), Vladek
Elemental (86 damage, improved cover)

Eolowyn stands up and fires an arrow at the elemental

Attack, PBS, Deadly aim: 1d20 + 18 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (17) + 18 + 1 - 3 = 33
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 + 6 = 18

Don't forget that we are all Hasted.

Eolowyn pierces the elemental with her arrow, and it goes all-out on Naur.

Attack v Naur: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31
Damage: 2d10 + 18 ⇒ (4, 5) + 18 = 27

Attack v Naur: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31
Damage: 2d10 + 18 ⇒ (8, 8) + 18 = 34

Combat Round 2
Bold may act
Buffs: Haste
____________________________________
Naur (62 damage), Shel
Half-fiend gargoyle (43 damage, hexed)
Torvald (18 damage)
Gargoyles (yellow: 33 damage; blue: 13 damage, -4 attack)
Bauble (14 damage), Eolowyn (27 damage), Vladek
Elemental (94 damage, improved cover)

*groan*

Nuar steps back 5 feet and defensively casts Magic Missile at the elemental. force damage: 5d4 + 14 ⇒ (3, 2, 3, 1, 2) + 14 = 25 Then uses the healing arts taught to him by the Silver Crusade to lay on hands himself as a swift action. healing: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 2) = 7

Shel again cuts into blue, who was still right beside her.

Attack with GMW and Haste 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 2 + 1 = 35
Damage 1d3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Offhand Attack with GMW and Haste 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 2 + 1 = 35
Damage 1d3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6

Attack with GMW and Haste 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 27
Damage 1d3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6

Offhand Attack with GMW and Haste 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 20
Damage 1d3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6

Extra attack from Haste 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 2 + 1 = 23
Damage 1d3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Pretty sure Elemental are immune to Crits. Sad face...

Naur blasts the elemental and Shel cuts the gargoyle to ribbons.

The hell-touched gargoyle decides, to the the last gargoyle's horror, that discretion is the better part of valor and withdraws deeper into the cavern.

Combat Round 2
Bold may act
Buffs: Haste
____________________________________
Naur (62 damage), Shel
Half-fiend gargoyle (43 damage, hexed)
Torvald (18 damage)
Gargoyles (yellow: 33 damage)
Bauble (14 damage), Eolowyn (27 damage), Vladek
Elemental (119 damage, improved cover)

Seeing Nuar in trouble Torvald flicks the reins and he and Ka break off from the gargoyle, swooping down towards the elemental. As they reach it Torvald leaps from the saddle, floating in mid air, to strike at it and hopefully draw its attention away from Nuar.

Ka will move to the elemental, remaining 10' off the ground, we both provoke from the gargoyle (and probably the elemental moving in). When we reach the creature Torvald dismounts, he is still flying from the fly spell he used to get down here. Ka doesn't have reach which makes fighting together against one enemy tricky.

Ka Bite, DF, Haste: 1d20 + 13 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 13 + 3 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 3 = 14

DC20 Ride to dismount as a free action, otherwise a move: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

Longspear, DF, Haste, PA: 1d20 + 15 + 3 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 15 + 3 + 1 - 2 = 31
Damage: 1d8 + 11 + 3 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 3 + 6 = 22

SQUAAAAAWK

AoO, gargoyle: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

AoO, elemental: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

Torvald and Ka dodge attacks from both sides, and Torvald skewers the elemental.

The remaining gargoyle swoops down to attack Vladek.

Attack v Vladek: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 <-chips away at your greater false life

Combat Round 2
Bold may act
Buffs: Haste
____________________________________
Naur (62 damage), Shel
Half-fiend gargoyle (43 damage, hexed)
Torvald (18 damage)
Gargoyles (yellow: 33 damage)
Bauble (14 damage), Eolowyn (27 damage), Vladek
Elemental (131 damage, improved cover)

Bauble casts shocking grasp and rushes yellow, making a turn while flying.

DC 15 Fly check is an auto success with the +4 from the spell.

+20/1d6+11 Black Blade Scimitar, +3(6) [1d6; crit 18-20/x2; S/P) (+6[BAB] +5[dex/wpn fin] +6[enh] +1[haste] +2[flank]/1d6 +5[dex/derv dance] +6[enh])

To Hit: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28
Damage: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13, add 9 if precision damage affects it.
Shocking Grasp Damage: 8d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 2, 3, 1, 3, 2, 2) = 21

Bauble cuts down the last gargoyle.

Combat Round 2
Bold may act
Buffs: Haste
____________________________________
Naur (62 damage), Shel, Torvald (18 damage), Bauble (14 damage), Eolowyn (27 damage), Vladek
Elemental (131 damage, improved cover)

Knowledge (Planes), for what it's worth: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28

Vladek viciously distorts the elemental's future (DC 23 Will save or suffer 2 rounds of Misfortune)...

...while Qadathra takes out his lapis wand and zaps the elemental with it.

magic missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

While Eolowyn quickly fires three arrows at the elemental

Rapid Shot, PBS, Deadly aim: 1d20 + 18 + 1 - 3 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 18 + 1 - 3 - 2 = 31
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 + 6 = 14

Rapid Shot, PBS, Deadly aim: 1d20 + 18 + 1 - 3 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 18 + 1 - 3 - 2 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 + 6 = 19

Iterative Shot, PBS, Deadly aim: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 3 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 1 - 3 - 2 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 + 6 = 19

Don't forget Haste.

With Qadathra's spell and a single arrow from Eolowyn, the elemental crumbles.

-----Combat Over-----

Shel slides the ring of counterspells on her finger, if there was no objection. "Anything to keep that magic off me is welcome," she adds. "I'm sure someone could use the protection from that other ring," she points.

Black Lord: Why is there never a nice scabbard?

Bauble: Orcs use skulls and bones and skin. Not like shiny sheaths. Even ring has skull.

"Bauble like ring. Can Bauble have ring with skull?"

"For what it's worth, that's not a skull, but a sort of tarantula with a bestial anthropoid maw - but yes, feel free."

"As for that other ring...I don't suppose I could have it? I've seen you move, Shel, you could probably dodge the spell within it much more thoroughly than I ever could. True, there are those tacticians who say mages need no protection since the reach of magic is so very far, but that very fact belies their claim." He chuckles dryly.

Eolowyn transforms Arrano's statue back into his true form and hugs the big bird. After that she heals herself

CLW: 6d8 + 6 ⇒ (7, 2, 3, 2, 4, 7) + 6 = 31

"It is a shame none of our enemies carried healing items. Damn elememtal."

Assuming you are still fine with taking the average Nuar will mark off 10 charges.

Nuar will pull out his new wand of CLW. "If someone could use this on me?"

Bauble shines the ring up and puts it on.

"Oooh. Me, me!!! Bauble love wands."

Bauble proceeds to try using the wand.

UMD: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
UMD: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
UMD: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
UMD: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
UMD: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
UMD: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

but after a half a dozen obviously novice attempts gives up and hands it off to someone with more skill.

Shel is happy with passing the ring to the witch. It would probably do him more good than she anyway.

Eolowyn holds out her hand and in a stern voice says "Bauble, give that to me please"

She uses the wand on Nuar and whispers "why did you give it to him?"

"We kill living beings en mass on a semi-regular basis. We are constantly surrounded by blood, Often our own. If a simple gesture makes him happy, Even for a moment, Then it's worth it."

Bauble is a bit confused by Naur's statement, not quite understanding that he's saying that killing things is an issue and requires some kind of distraction afterwards. But he just lets it go cause he's got the pretty ring AND got to play with a new wand.

"How you know that wand? Bauble have more nails " referring to the talons he collected " if Eolowyn need some."

So, what's the plan? Not to say that I'm not amused by a bit wand-based slapstick.

Once the group was ready, Shel will start leading them to the next area.

Perception 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24

I've moved the party icons to the northwest as that is the next area to explore. Note that we did not explore the caves we fought in. Did we want to do that first or head onward before some of our spells expire?

@Bauble: Some of the loot was recovered from one of the ledges, so unless you want to spend time scouring the entire cave, I'll move us along.

The tunnel ends at a sudden drop off. A wide shaft opens up in the earth and descends into darkness below. Opposite the entry tunnel are other irregular ledges. The walls of the shaft and ledges are of the same white crystalline substance as elsewhere.

Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (15) + 19 = 34 +2 = 36
Qadathra aids Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Vladek holds up a hand before the party ventures any further.

Bats, Qadathra explains telepathically. A veritable metropolis of them. A joy to fly with, but NOT if they're frightened.

Is the danger that we might wake them up with noise? I have an idea if so....

"I'm surprised the battle didn't spook them. We are well set up if they prove to be a danger but we should just let them sleep if possible."

Nuar will use his Heightened Awareness wand.

I'm good with continuing and backtracking later if need be.
I'd like to keep the party spells going as long as possible.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
Seeing Naur pull out a wand, Bauble sifts through is wand and casts heightened awareness on himself too.

"Maybe bats not like light OR loud sound. Bauble sneaky, but need light. Why not blow up bats with fireball?"

He asks this looking hopefully at Naur.

@Vladek: There's a very real risk of them swarming if they're disturbed.

I am back from UK games expo and have internet access again! Normal service should now resume. Sorry for the delay.

Torvald pauses for a moment to heal himself with a wand. He scans the cliff, noting the presence of the bats.

We should try and slip down quietly if we can, without disturbing them, we are trespassers in their home. However, if they do start to swarm I am fairly sure we have the area effect damage to handle it. I also have a trusty swarmbane clasp if it comes to it.

I assume we took some time healing, searching and identifying equipment which means divine favour is gone. Will the fly spell on Torvald still be up, it lasts 9 minutes and he cast it to come down from the room above.

That reminds me. Bauble uses a charge from his wand of infernal healing which brings him up to 80/84 HP.

"Now, now, let's not go blowing up innocent bats in their own home. I have an idea. Everyone stay as close as you can to us...."

Vladek lays a gentle hand on his familiar, and begins chanting quietly.

VERY quietly. In fact, even the sharpest-eared of you can't hear him.

In fact, in a few moments, you realize to your slight horror...you can't hear anything!

I cast silence on Qadathra. It will last exactly 1 minute. That should get us through! Everyone just stay close to us.

If 1 minute is not enough for us to pass safely, then I don't do this.

His spell complete, Vladek looks at the others and beckons in that oh-so-engimatic Elven way.

Nuar will hover along in the Silence.