PbP GameDay 3: PFS 03-02 Sewer Dragons of Absalom (3-7) (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Trexler

"My brother will follow me when the time comes, as will the others. Now, please, I must depart." She says the last bit rather urgently, but again waits for you to leave first.

Reluctantly Darro goes out of the theater after retrieving his weapons and armor and patiently waits for the disguised Kobold to exit the theater to follow her.
do you want me to reroll my stealth and perception checks to follow her?

Rikas stretches after dozing off during the last act. "Damn, was really hoping for a little more bloodshed." He starts to pull his dagger to play with but remembers where he is and forces himself to fiddle with the coin again.

Happily, he is reunited with his belongings not long after and awaits the group's decision. "I'm all for finding where this princess is heading off to. We need a way in and around traps. Might be she could show us the way, even if she don't know she is."

The blue-cloaked halfling waits for you to depart, then turns for a backstage exit.

If you're going to follow her and hope not to be noticed, roll stealth.

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Darro waits outside the theater to see if he can follow the Kobold through the city.

Tarri stays with the main group while Darro sneaks off.

Stealth: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18 Rikas sneaks off to tail the target from a modest distance.

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Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 Not paying too much attention to the surrounding, the halfling heads across the city and turns into a back alley--the exact one mentioned to you by Xarcious--and enters the sewers complex.

Do you follow?

Li hangs back, watching the theater instead.

Darro asks the group "Do we follow into the sewers now or is there something we need to accomplish before heading down there?"

It's just you and Rikas at the moment, I think. Unless others wanted to stealth after her as well. FYI it's almost midnight.

i will defer to the consensus of the group, follow now or wait until dawn, unless Rikas goes headstrong into the breach.

Rhydderch does nothing stealthily...

Azdak will fall back and wait until morning before venturing down to the sewers. He will return to his bed at the lodge. Tomorrow morning, after he gets some sleep, Azdak will be eager and willing to head out.

Not wanting to run into the sewers alone, Rikas heads back to the group.

"Well, confirm we know where to enter. Hopefully we'll be able to follow her trail down there and not get lost tomorrow."

Darro agrees with Rikas and heads back to the lodge with Blackthorn for a good nights sleep.

Refreshed and ready in the morning, the party heads to the sewer entrance detailed by Xarcious. Inside, this section of the sewers in particularly cramped--the ceilings are barely 7 feet high--and the walkways on either side of the sewage channel are narrow and slippery, while the smell emanating from the water running just below is almost impossible to withstand. The tunnels of this section, unlike others that are lit by periodic grates, is pitch black.

Please establish a Standard Marching Order and a type of light-source, if any.

Azdak prefers to be second from the end. He is a good spellcaster, but he is not great for melee.

I guess Darro can be in the middle to cover with his archery, Blackthorn would be behind Darro. Unless there are objections. Just do not want to be the one in front to find and disable any traps.

Li would like to be in front or second so he can get a clear shot on the first round. But it's not high-priority, especially in this group.

Okay... anybody else want to chip in? Any light sources? You have at least two party members who can't see very well in the dark.

Darkvision here. And I'm perfectly fine taking point. Can look for traps and, in the unlikely event of combat, will have a clear charge lane in the cramped quarters.

I can be wherever, bows have plenty of range in sewers. I carry both an Ioun Torch (because Continual Flame cancels Darkness), and a wayfinder. I also have some torches in Hugo's saddle bags.

"Companions, as we head down into the sewers I suggest Rikas first for any nasty traps, followed by Rhydderch. Both have the ability to see in darkness. Next I suggest Li Shuo, followed by Tarri and Hugo then Azdak then Blackthorn and lastly me. This way we have darkvision at the fringes, the light source fo the humans in the middle and my human cousins near the light. What say you all?"

Azdak will cast light on his bracers. Then he can cover them up if needed.

Fiddling with a dagger, Rikas nods. "Good enough for me." Then holding the blade between his teeth, he descends into the sewers before checking for a welcoming party or contraption. If none are present he listens for any signs of activity.

Don't know if GM would like to roll perceptions or not. +12, no bonus for traps.

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Rhydderch as Darkvision. He's not as tanky as a vanilla paladin but has no problem being close to the front.

Excellent! Rikas, Rhydderch, Li, Tarri/Hugo, Azdak, Blackthorn, Darro. ... Rikas, do you have Trapspotter? If not, you can just take 10 at regular intervals if that appeals to you.

Marching in battle order, the party follows Xarcious' directions and come to a large, four-way intersection. The age of these tunnels shows in its crumbling walls, and the walkways along the deep central sewage channel are treacherously narrow, making footing uncertain. Near the intersection Xarcious indicated, territorial markings fill the walls, smattered with warnings written in the common tongue: "Keep out." Scorch marks on the ground and walls smell faintly of ozone. Xarcious’s directions indicate that the entrance to the Sewer Dragons’ lair is through a grate in the south passage off this intersection.

Rikas sees a ways off into the darkness, and does not see any impediment to the south.

Darro takes a few minutes to examine his surroundings in the sewers and ...Nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27... uncovers the scorch marks are from some sort of large electrical discharge. "These marks look like an electrical discharge, possibly from a dragon's breath weapon, or some sort of magic. This could be in line with the rumors of the Kobolds having a dragon in their midst's."

Will take 10 at regular intervals. It'll go a little slower, but I don't think there's any sort of immediate time crunch.

Kn Arc: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Km Dun: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Survival: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

"Or just little lizards trying to look big. Still, stay on guard. Plenty of tracks here, so lots of activity. We're bound to hit someone sooner or later. Now, which way?"

Survival: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

"Losta little lizard people tracks 'ere. Prolly kobol's. They come through a lot." Tarri says.

I'm assuming Tarri has her ioun torch out, and Azdak his bracers.

The directions from Xarcious point south, so south the party goes. It's only a few steps further before a pair of hissing snakes come into the view just at the edge of Rikas' darkvision. A shout comes from deeper in the darkness...

Init Re-Order: Round I
Rikas: CURRENT
Li:
Darro:
Tarri:
Azdak:
Baddies:
Rhydderch:

Rikas is first to react! Only those with darkvision can currently see that far.

"They believe we are intruders. I don't know if that's true, but either way, prepare to defend yourself!

"Well, best defense, good offense." Rikas moves quickly forward, drawing a dagger and lobbing it at the presumably hostile creature in his line of vision.

Charge+PBS-range: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 2 + 1 - 4 = 19
1d4 + 1 + 1 + 4d8 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 + (6, 4, 5, 8) = 28 damage, which includes sneak attack

Erm, a charge requires you to A) finish directly in the square adjacent to the opponent, and B) make a melee attack. Is there some feat or something you have that lets you make ranged attacks? It doesn't matter in this case; the sneak attack damage is enough to kill the snake anyway.

Rikas steps forward, retains his footing on the slippery walkway, and hucks a dagger at the snake in front of him. The blade runs right through its small skull and pins it to the stone floor.

Li is up!

Round I Update
Rikas: dagger
Li: CURRENT
Darro:
Tarri:
Azdak:
Baddies:
Rhydderch:

Charging Hurler feat. Allows me to charge with a thrown weapon, does not require me to be adjacent but I still have to move at least 10 feet straight towards the target. Apologies for not being clear on that.

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No worries at all! I figured it was probably something like that. Thanks!

Li is up! Darro, Tarri, and Azdak are on deck.

Tarri taps Hugo on the sides with her heels, sending him forward while pulling her bow from around her chest. The two stop just before reaching Rikas and Tarri spots another snake across the way. "Don' move ya liddle bugger," she says, nocking an arrow and letting it fly.

Longbow Attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23 - 6 BAB, 5 Dex, 1 Enhancement, 1 PBS
Longbow Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 - 2 Str, 1 Enhancement, 1 PBS
Miss Chance - 20%, High is always good: 1d100 ⇒ 52

Darro understands their scream but since he and Blackthorn are in the back of the party he readies his bow and pulls rear security so as to see if the group is getting surrounded. Blackthorn awaits the command to attack.

Round 1

Azdak stays right in the middle of the company, but he readies an action to cast sleep as soon as he has line of sight with the enemy.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17 Darro does not see any foes behind or flanking the party. Azdak readies a spell, which he is still casting by the time Tarri's torch advances far enough forward. Spell will complete at the start of your turn next round. Tarri's arrow injures, but doesn't kill, the snake ahead.

Still Li's turn. I will advance if we don't hear from him by this evening. Darro can still act as well.

Round I Update
Rikas: dagger
Li: CURRENT
Darro: looks around can still act
Tarri: moves and shoots
Azdak: sleep
Baddies:
Rhydderch:

Li leaps across the sewer, approaching the snake and then fires his bow.

Take 10 on Acrobatics for 10+10=20

+1 greenwood composite longbow, point blank shot: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 = 101d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

Automatic miss.

Li's shot clatters off the sewer's wall. The remaining snake slithers forward and snaps a bite at Rikas from across the narrow channel Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 but the tiefling is just nimble enough to pull his foot away in time. Meanwhile, two bolts come flying out of the dark, aimed at Rikas and Li.

Bolt@Rikas: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 MISS
Bolt@Li: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 2 = 20 HIT Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Rikas ducks under the projectile, but Li takes his in the shoulder. Moreover, the weapon is covered in a sticky green substance that explodes everywhere, leaving the archer entangled (-2 to attack rolls, -4 to Dex) and Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 almost glued to the floor (can move at half speed).

A huge rumbling begins to shake the man-made cavern.

Rhydderch to finish Round I!

Round I Update
Rikas: dagger
Li@23/26hp, entangled: moves and shoots
Darro: looks around can still act
Tarri: moves and shoots
Azdak: sleep
Baddies: two shots and a bite
Rhydderch: CURRENT

Bite hit, charging still reduces my A.C. by 2 for the round.

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Fair point! Thanks for mentioning it, I'll be sure to return the favor if there's an opportunity.

REVISION:

Damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Grab: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

The snake latches on, twisting itself around the scout's leg. Both of you have the grappled condition. A bolt comes flying through the air and strikes the embattled tiefling, likewise spraying goo everywhere... Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3 Reflex: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 2 = 13 FAIL ...and pinning Rikas to the floor. Also gain the entangled condition, plus being stuck to the floor. DC 17 Strength check to break free as a standard action. Current total is a -8 to Dex, -4 to attack rolls (only -2 to CMB to break the grapple).

Round I Update
Rikas@52/59hp, grappled, entangled: dagger
Li@23/26hp, entangled: moves and shoots
Darro: looks around can still act
Tarri: moves and shoots
Azdak: sleep
Baddies: two shots and a grappling bite
Rhydderch: CURRENT

Darro gets to a spot where he can take a shot at enemy that be-felled Rikas and lets loose his arrows...
Composite +1 Greenwood Longbow: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 12 - 2 = 27
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Composite +1 Greenwood Longbow: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 12 - 2 = 15
damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
not using deadly aim since i want accuracy right now, although he is using Rapid Shot. is there room in the immediate area to let Blackthorn attack the snakes?

Rhydderch moves forward while drawing his longbow. He nocks an arrow and shoots at the snake.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16, Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Darro: I should have specified this, but actively making a perception check is a move action. Your first (and only, as Rapid Shot requires a full attack action) arrow does kill the snake, though. I've moved you back to your original position. Blackthorn can advance if you'd like to instruct him to do so as a swift action, though moving double speed with require an acrobatics check to avoid slipping on the wet floor.

Rhydderch: You can see another snake advancing towards the group, and fire at that one instead. Soft cover makes the shot difficult, though.

Darro and Rhydderch each get a shot off, and another snake goes down--letting go of Rikas, who then breaks free of the goo. Rikas can move half-speed as a move action.

Round II
Rikas@52/59hp, goo'd: breaks free (move action left)
Li@23/26hp, entangled: CURRENT
Darro:
Tarri:
Azdak:
Baddies:
Rhydderch:

Darro is back at the rear of the party formation and Blackthorn will advance at a normal pace, not double speed; don't need him to fall in the water and have the party smell wet wolf for the rest of the adventure.