ProfPotts' Serpent's Skull PBP

Game Master Alexander Scott

Red-5 standing by!
Go Paladins! The Force is with you!

If Aerodus's cant determine any locations, will try detect evil and movement to focus (for the purposes of locating ghouls!)

I'm not sure I actually understand that sentence... but as far as detect evil goes...

Aerodus detects the distinct presence of evil! (only two rounds more of focusing to go!)

Meanwhile, Shisa awakens (on 8 Hit Points) - only to find Master Gelik's small hand clamped over her mouth as he whispers,

'Stay quiet - there are ghouls everywhere... and it seems that they can see in the dark...'

There's multiple sounds of flesh being ripped, accompanied by Ishirou yelling... then a dull 'thud' of something Ishirou-sized and shaped hitting the floor... then silence, broken only by the hissing of the ghouls, and Mother Thrunefang's sinister chuckling...

Moments after an Ishirou-sized and shaped object lands on top of him... oozing some sort of warm, sticky, liquid (let's hope it's blood! ;) )... Marik feels his paralysis begin to wear off...

The noises of the greased ghoul's struggles finally cease...

Next!

Hmm Paladin's can spend a move action to focus (as if studying for three rounds) (60 CRB.) Although this is focusing on an.. individual or item and may not apply in this case. And I'm probably mistaken as to it's use.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 6

If able, move/attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Else, concentrate (don't think I can do this on the defensive).
LoH Self: 1d6 ⇒ 5

AC: 10 +2/4 if can do on defensive! HP 18/19

But... what single item or individual was he focusing on? Seriously, I re-read your sentence a bunch of times, and still can't figure out what you meant... Is he trying to detect 'movement' as well as 'evil'? Or to 'detect evil' then move? How is he using that ability to locate 'ghouls' (plural)? I'm not trying to be difficult, I genuinely don't understand what Aerodus was attempting... :/

Sorry to obfuscate things! Aerodus was attempting to get location of a ghoul. Via presence of evil, and then go down to the 3rd round for location. (I guess my understanding of the spell is incorrect, (I somehow was thinking that if a paladin spent a move action to focus, worked like the three rounds it normally takes! My apologies. I shall rectify his actions by having Aerodus concentrating until he is able to make a perception check!))

Ah right... the Paladin's move action 'focus' doesn't work like rounds 1 + 2 + 3, it just skips directly to round 3 info on one pre-selected target. So, you can't use it like a radar sweep, then pick one target from all those detected, all in one move action. Nor can you use it speculatively to, for example, 'focus' your detect evil on 'the nearest potential target in the room'. To do the focus version of the detect evil you need to pick a target - like the spikey sword you spot in the pile of treasure, or the little kid singing the creepy nursery rhyme, or... well, something. To use detect evil speculatively, and against multiple targets at the same time (i.e. to do that 'radar sweep') he has to use it like the spell - one standard action of concentration per round.

Marik will push Ishirou's body off himself and search him for the Cure Light Wounds potion he gave him before coming down here. If he finds it he will give it to Ishirou
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
If not, he will spend the round concentrating on Yipper, trying to scent the "Mother".

Dreams of shadows and death fade as she feels something warm covering her mouth. She tenses, ready to fight when Gelik's voice comes softly to her ears.

'Stay quiet - there are ghouls everywhere... and it seems that they can see in the dark...'

Giving a slight nod, she waits until the hand moves. Blackness surrounds her again and she feels the cool, damp air of the cave against her bare skin.

She frowns then whispers, "Naked again? Um.. do you have a weapon I can borrow?" She pauses for a moment thinking, then adds, "Stay still.. wait for the darkness to fade or we may well end up dead."

Struggling from under Ishirou, Marik finds and administers the potion... and is rewarded by the Tian man stirring (not paralysed this time, yeh! :) ) and growling as he feels around for his dropped sword...

Continuing to concentrate, Aerodus detects four distinct auras of evil in the area... the most potent being of moderate power... he'll pinpoint locations and all the auras' power levels next round.

"Naked again? Um.. do you have a weapon I can borrow?"

'No,' quips Gelik quietly, 'I'm just pleased to see you...'

"Stay still.. wait for the darkness to fade or we may well end up dead."

'Yes,' Gelik whispers his agreement, then adds, 'I have one healing spell left... let me wake up Master Nedraid...'

Shisa feels Gelik slipping away...

... Tony awakens (on 7 Hit Points) to find Gelik's hand on his mouth as the gnome whispers,

'Stay quiet - things are going about as well as usual...'

Across the caven there's a cracking sound... followed by Mother Thrunefang sighing with relief... and hissing whispered instructions to her 'children'...

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 11

In the death riddled underground, Aerodus retains his composure as he focuses on the location of the evil!

Focus that aura!

AC: 10 HP: 18/19

Shisa smirks at Gelik's remark and is about to give a retort when she feels his presence shift away from her.

Moving as little as possible, she feels around with her hand hoping to find a rock or something to serve as a weapon. "Ok, Nethys, Caiden, which ever is listening.. we need a bit o' help to get out of this," she thinks quietly.

She blinks her eyes a bit at the throbbing in her head. She peers into the darkness trying to see something.. anything.. and failing.

Tony wakes up painfully, then freezes as Gelik explains.
His hand reaches out and fumbles around, looking for his sword. No, make that ANY sword. No, make that ANYTHING he can use as a weapon...

Marik will whisper to Ishirou "Play dead! At least until the lights come back on. You won't be able to help Aerys if you get yourself killed flailing around in the dark."

Ishirou quietly grunts his agreement, slumping back down to the ground somewhere near Marik...

Both Shisa and Tony manage to grasp a rock or bone suitable for use as an improvised club...

Aerodus's amazing Paladin-sense reveals three faint auras of diabolical evilness... and one moderate aura. All are clustered together, maybe thirty feet away, with the three less powerful auras in front of the more powerful one. As he contemplates what he's sensing, the devotee of Iomedae hears Master Gelik's whispered voice as the gnome stealthily moves near...

'The plan is to play dead... or whatever it is you were all doing naked... and wait out the darkness...'

Maintaining his concentration, Aerodus whispers back. "Who else is still alive? The ghouls, they are about thirty feet away, grouped for something..."

Staying motionless in her tiny alcove, Shisa peers out from below partially closed eyelids, watching the darkness and waiting for it to lift.

'Shut up, you divine idiot!' Gelik whispers as close to Aerodus's ear as he can reach, 'Don't you know how to "play dead"?'

Time ticks by...

... After two or three minutes, the glows from Gelik and Jask's light producing stones fade back up, revealing the aftermath of the 'battle' (let's face it 'slaughter' or 'ass kicking' is probably more accurate in this case...)...

Aerodus, Shisa, Tony, Marik, Sasha, and Ishirou occupy the six rock 'pods' in the cavern where Shisa was originally found and 'rescued' - all of them stripped naked. Gelik is nowhere to be seen, and neither is Aerys... although a drag-trail of blood smears the cavern floor near where she dropped, leading towards the passage which leads deeper into the caves. Three ghouls crouch in the centre of the chamber, gnawing away on the feast formally known as 'Jask'... next to them in a heaped pile are Ishirou and Marik's clothes and possessions - although the belongings of the others are nowhere to be seen.

I'm guessing Aerodus still has the dagger.

As the light finally purges the darkness, Aerodus holds his tongue while looking at the grim fate that has fallen the cleric. Looking at the others in their 'pods', Aerodus will judge their health (see if they are breathing/conscious?)

Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Slowly moving his dagger, Aerodus will try and point it at the ghouls, and look at the other survivors expectantly.

Moving slowly, Shisa stands, keeping as far back into her alcove as she can. She takes a moment to stretch her cramped muscles then peers around only to notice the ghouls.

She quickly clamps a hand over her mouth to stiffle the shocked noise that almost slipped out. Her eyes narrow and her hand clutches her rock tightly as she begins to slip out of the alcove and follow the wall around to the other side where the path slopes upward

Feeling her way with her bare feet, she keeps her eyes on the ghouls, looking to see if there is perhaps a better weapon still on the corpse of her friend..

stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

************************************

HP: 8 / 14
AC: 12 (+2 dex)

Hrm.. ok.. so I guess I should sneak naked from now on.. :)

Mouthing to the other party members, Aerodus tries to silently send them a message!

I don't think should need a bluff check to silently mouth a phrase... but in case, I have spoilered!

Bluff 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Are there enough bits of Jask left that a Raise Dead might be able to bring him back? Also.. side note on Raise Dead: Apparently its impossible to bring back a level 2 character. (RAW) (A level 1 char gets -2 con) while everything else gets -2 levels, which would... flat kill a level 2 character.)

Im guessing if the ghouls have been eating say.. his vital organs, than coming back would obviously be extremely painful, and a very short lived experience. (And I guess even if he survived he would have a mere 5 con)

Marik catches the gist of Aerodus's message and gives the Paladin a "you first" shake of his head.

With a nod towards Marik, Aerodus slowly, and quietly extracts himself from the pod.

Stealth: 1d20 ⇒ 18

As Shisa and Aerodus start to extract themselves from the weird rock pods, one of the three feasting ghouls looks up from his hunk of Jask and starts to turn...

... Suddenly a noise, like the clattering of a huge amount of pots and pans, erupts from somewhere down the passage which leads further into the caves. Naturally all three of the ghouls look over then, with a quick exchange of glances, lope off down that tunnel...

'Quick!' Gelik exclaims in a hissed whisper as he pokes his head around the corner of the passage leading back towards the surface (Yipper's tiny head poking around the same corner, lower down) and frantically beckons to the nude captives, 'I can only pull that off once a day!'

Shisa notes that Jask's leather armour, masterwork dagger, holy symbol, and spell component pouch all remain with what's left of his partially devoured corpse.

No way raise dead can help that guy, I'm afraid - he's a little too eaten for that... ;)

Climbing out of the alcove he was stuffed into, Ishirou quickly moves to reclaim his gear, casting a glance at the bloody drag marks on the cavern floor as he does so...

'Aerys,' he says quietly, 'she may still be alive...'

Shisa runs quickly to Jask's corpse and deftly grabs his dagger and holy symbol. "I'll keep this for you my friend," she says quietly as she pulls his pouch from his belt and starts to remove his armor.

"Aero, here, you can take his armor. You'll need it more than I will." she says quietly tugging the leather from Jask's ruined body.

She slips the symbol of Nerys over her head with a whispered thanks and wipes the back of her hand across her face leaving a damp smear of dust across her cheek.

"Someone check on Sasha?" She turns around to see which of her friends remain.

Marik fumbles through his gvear loking for his spell pouch. Pulluing out a worn piece of leather he says to Shisa "You or Tony can use it. I've got Aerodus covered.". So saying he begins to cast Mage Armor on the paladin.

Aerodus will first check on Sasha, to see if she is still alive!

Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Standing above the remains of Jask, Aerodus will first give a swift prayer: "Gods above, grant this devoted soul a safe journey to his god's side."

Then turning to the others in the room..

"This damned island has taken much from us, let us make sure that this ghoul and her children do not take any others. We kill her today, before she can turn our poet into a ghoul."

Shisa shakes her head at Marik. "Tony can have it then. I fully intend to get my own back," she says as she flips Jask's spell pouch to Marik. "Here, you can have this as well."

With a brief hesitation, Tony will accept the leather armor. He looks around desperately for something more substantial than a broken thighbone.

Marik picks up his belongings and hands Tony his two daggers. He graciously offers Sasha his shirt to cover herself up with along with his crossbow and 12 remaining bolts. After casting his spell on Aerodus he will offer the Paladin his quarterstaff "It's not a sword, but it'll do." Walking over to Jask's remains Marik says a brief prayer to Nethys "Rest well, Father Jask. May the Lord of Magic vouchsafe your soul. Be assured I will take the documents we found and clear your good name once and for all."

Sasha does indeed prove to be still alive... just battered and unconscious (much as the rest were before being revived). Looking up at the redhead as Aerodus does his medical examination, Gelik shrugs,

'Sorry,' he says (and actually sounds it this time), 'I'm all out of healing for today.' Casting a saddened glance towards Jask's remains, the gnome pulls off his omnipresent hat and sighs, as he bows his head in a moment of silence...

As quickly as possible, spells are cast, armour donned, and weapons exchanged... and not a moment too soon! A high-pitched 'yip!' from Yipper calls everyone's attentions to the passage leading further into the caves - the passage down which the three ghouls vanished, and are now returning at a charge!

Aaaannnndddd... it's back to initiative and declared actions again! Round and round we go, where we stop, nobody knows! Wheee, what fun! :)

Or, put another way: PCs Vs ghouls, round 56...

Initiative: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8

Trying to position himself at the fore, Aerodus braces to meet the ghoulish assault! (Else pick one that seems to be flanking a rogue)

Move: (In front of group (closest to harm, else flank with a rogue))
Ready: Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

"Focus the assault!" Aerodus cries, as he brings down the quarterstaff with two handed fury!

AC: 14 FF: 14 Touch 14
HP 18/19

initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Moving to Aerodus' side, she attempts to flank the one he is engaging. Waiting for her opening, she slashes with Jask's dagger

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

If flanked: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Since Sasha has no need of it.

As the ghouls re-enter the cavern Marik spans and loads his crossbow and fires at the undead as they cross the cavern.
Attack roll: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Tony will move to flank and attack whatever enemy Aerodus is attacking wherever possible; if not possible, then flank and attack whatever enemy is convenient.

Acrobatics (to avoid AoO): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Dagger Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 for a possible 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 piercing damage.
Add +2 and 1d6 ⇒ 3 damage if Flanking.

Sweet mercy! Is there some conspiracy where you guys hate winning initiative or getting good attack rolls, is that it?! Were you saying bad things about the dice-bot again..? :p

Moving like lightning, Ishirou counter-charges the ghouls, drawing his katana from over his shoulder and striking, all in one fluid motion. The lead ghoul staggers back as the Tian man's blade slices open its chest... then a shot from Master Gelik's shortbow finds that opening, slamming into the shrivelled remains of the gruesome thing's internal organs. The ghoul topples over backwards, falling to the ground where it lays still and (re-)dead.

The two remaining ghouls respond with a frenzy of teeth and claws - Ishirou valiantly tries to fend them off, but the onslaught is too much, and once more he falls in a fountain of his own blood...

Moments after the Tian swordsman is felled, a bolt from Marik's crossbow impacts the eye of one of the ghouls, spraying blackened humours everywhere and causing the fiendish creature to let forth with a keening wail...

Delaying long enough to co-ordinate his assault with Aerodus and Shisa, Tony runs at the two ghouls, tucking into a roll at the last moment, which takes him past their legs and back onto his feet behind them. As the ghouls whirl to avoid the agile swashbuckler's flashing dagger, Shisa and Aerodus attack from the other side. The ghoul Shisa jabs at manages to twist to one side, avoiding her thrust, but the wounded ghoul - with Marik's bolt still protruding from its ichor-dripping eye socket - catches the full fury of the paladin's mighty two-handed blow with the staff: the quarterstaff snags the end of the lodged bolt, driving the shaft further into the stricken ghoul's skull, before impacting itself to finish the job as the undead creature's noggin explodes like an overripe melon...

Gelik fires another small arrow, but it goes wide as he attempts to avoid hitting his companions. Lashing out in all directions, the last of the three ghouls tries to bite Aerodus, but its fang-like teeth deflect off the layer of magical protection covering the paladin. Tony manages to duck the claw which swipes his way, but Shisa isn't quite so lucky - the fingertips of ghoul's other clawed hand just manage to open a series of four parallel slashes across the half-elven woman's chest... Shisa loses 2 Hit Points.

Just the one left to go... Next actions please!

Obviously Aerodus's suicidal zeal has infected poor Ishirou! If he survives, must take him to paladin academy of counter charging vs multi limbed/attacking combatants!

Rushing to the aid of the fallen Ishirou, Aerodus once more tries to provide a flank for his rogueish comrades as he swings with the staff!

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 +2 if flank
DMG: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Only to miss .....

Yep confirmed, dicebot is out to murder the party

Shisa tries to keep to the ghoul's side as she dances back feeling the ghoul's claws rake her bare breasts. "Hey! Those are personal!" she mutters as she looks for an opening before driving her dagger toward the monster's throat.

attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
if flanked 1d6 ⇒ 5

Tony snarls with frustration as yet another party member goes down.
Again, Tony will move to flank and attack whatever enemy Aerodus is attacking wherever possible; if not possible, then flank and attack whatever enemy is convenient.

Acrobatics (to avoid AoO):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Dagger Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 for a possible 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 piercing damage.
...Add +2 and 1d6 ⇒ 4 damage if Flanking.

Marik will move over to Ishirou and try to stanch the bleeding.
Heal check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

A flurry of stab-wounds from Shisa and Tony quickly drop the last of the three ghouls. Marik finds Ishirou alive... barely... but can't seem to stop the bleeding from his many wounds...

No! My precious lay on hands!

Reaching down to aid the fallen Ishirou, Aerodus calls once more on divine power to aid the wounded.

LoH: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Wiping the back of her hand across her forehead, Shisa looks over at where Aerodus and Marik are tending to Ishirou. "Is he..ok?" she asks tentatively. "Maybe we should get him out of here."

Walking over, she carefully picks up Ishirou's sword from where it dropped. "Maybe get him back to Taki while the rest of us continue?"

Her eyes begin scanning the cavern while she talks, peering into the shadows as if looking for something.

************************************

HP: 6 / 14
AC: 12 (+2 dex)

"He'll live. Hopefully! That may not be a bad idea; I have only so much healing granted to me."

Strike him down now Tony, let your hatred fuel your blows, and join the dark side of the.. *cough* sorry about that!

As he further inspects the swordsman's wounds, Aerodus looks for the signs of ghoul fever. "Although, who knows how the tribe would react to us, it could be safer to leave him with our assassin..."

Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 And finds nothing...

Just looked at heal, could Aerodus possibly use heal: first aid, instead of a LoH, as we need to preserve as much instant healing as possible vs Ghoul Queen? Although I believe it risks Ishirou bleeding out (dying) if he keeps failing. Aerodus could get it with a take 10+ a guidance or an aid another if we have it....(maybe Gelik has it prepared?) Or Marik can use his Forewarned school power.

Could, spend last LoH on Sasha (probably get her in the positive?) and have the folks with low hp try and ranged her down? Her channels are going to be deadly though...... Aerodus is ready to go with whatever the group decides, it's just there is a very small amount of healing left (with jask out permanently).

If it comes to it, I also have 'Heal' as a trained skill and assist.. only a +2 to the roll though.. bleah. I think you need some sort of first aid / healing kit though (bandages and such).

I say either evac them to the ville or leave them both near the rope up when we continue on. Either way.. this will hurt, so I'll just say "Owie!" now :)

We should evac him and Sasha back to the entrance cavern and have Taki to come down and give what healing she has left to the cause. I don't know how much she has remaining as someone did heal me up to full before we came back down here.

I think Taki does have healing hex, so should be able to give everyone a CLW.

Hmm, how is this for a plan... Aerodus covers himself in blood, grabs Ishirou's sword. Go up, snag Taki, if anyone questions, Aerodus does have mage armor on (maybe bring a ghoul skull even..), threaten, crack a skull if he has to. Heal people, then we go down and bring the pain to Mother Thrunefang?

depends on how long your armor lasts.. don't want it running out when we face the ghoul<femalecanine>

Mage Armour is two (2) hours. Hopefully shouldn't take Aerodus long, (although who knows how much beuracacy there is in a cannibal village).

Let's do it then. Less NPCs we get killed off, the better. Maybe a quick raid on the supply hut.. see if they have the dwarf's armor for you or some leathers..

Sounds OK to me.