Rise of the Runelords

Game Master Kevin O'Rourke 440

Basically the courtyard of a ruined fort... and they're not attacking... but the bad guys have spotted ye and are about to take action.

Marten nods at Azalia, and then turns to Ferocia, indicating the Aurochs. "What do you think?"

I think you should blast them, or else we should teleport out of here. Those Kuchrimas aren't going to just watch us walk away.

Knowledge Local DC 18: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Creydon squints into the distance.

"Bloody vultures...", he mutters.

Ferocia shrugs, apparently unconcerned either way.

"I think hiring disease-ridden ranch-hands is f*#$ing stupid." Ferocia replies, deadpan.

"No, you fey-addled dullard! I meant the cattle! Are they a threat? Could the threat be subverted? Could you--I don't know--have them stampede away from us?

"For heavens' sake, don't let anyone tell you you're not an exemplary dwarf, Ferocia. Never mind. Let's just proceed."

As (and if) the party moves around the herd to the entrance of the fort, Marten keeps his eyes on the aurochs and the Kuchrimas, planning strategies for neutralizing both of them. He pauses to cast fly on Drazh.

If the cattle stampede, slow as above. If the Kuchrimas attack, I'll need more details, but probably chain lightning. If both attack, slow first.

"But she's not an exemplary dwarf." Drazh said. "Yer a professor lad, shoulda been more clear when explaining things." He continued, a small smirk on his face. Mid sentence he found himself floating in the air, and quickly wondered if this was a tactic for the upcoming fight or punishment for his verbal barbs.

"Of course they're a threat, they're a whole herd of aurochs. Don't piss them off." She eyes Marten. "Right. It's you. That's off the table, then. Just stay out of their way."

"But she's not an exemplary dwarf."

Ferocia smirks. "I'm an exceptional dwarf."

Drazh shrugged. ”Aye. Ye fight well enough. And as a bear yer beard is exceptional enough as well!”

"On we go so!"

Sorry I forgot to hit post the other day it seems

Marten casts fly on Drazh.

One of the vulture like creatures launches itself from it's perch and drops something... a large back spooks the the aurochs which which start stampeding towards you.
Trample Damage DC19 Reflex to Half: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 5) + 9 = 18

The other creatures take to the air and begin peppering you with arrows.
Longbow Vs Ferocia: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 6) + 5 = 17
Longbow Vs Ferocia: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 5) + 5 = 13
Longbow Vs Drazh: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 1) + 5 = 9
Longbow Vs Drazh: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 3) + 5 = 12
Longbow Vs Anneka: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 4) + 5 = 11
Longbow Vs Anneka: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (5, 1) + 5 = 11
Longbow Vs Creydon: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 5) + 5 = 13
Longbow Vs Creydon: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 2) + 5 = 8
Longbow Vs Azalia: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 6) + 5 = 13
Longbow Vs Azalia: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 4) + 5 = 12
Longbow Vs Marten: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 5) + 5 = 14

Ferocia
Drazh
Anneka
Creydon
Azalia
Marten
Monsters

DS Hit: 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (15) + 27 = 42
Good Aligned Damage: 2d6 + 29 ⇒ (1, 4) + 29 = 34
Holy vs evil: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11
Acid: 1d6 ⇒ 3

An arrow harmlessly bounced off of Drazh’s armor as the dwarf ascended. Like a mithril and gold cannonball he shot into the air, his hammer hitting with similar force. He knew that one blow wouldn’t be enough, but he figured that three or four would do the job.

a large back spooks the the aurochs which which start stampeding towards you.

[dice=Trample Damage DC19 Reflex to Half]2d6+9

Okay, looks like I misunderstood how close we were. Are the aurochs just stampeding past us out of the courtyard, or are they also going to be a threat next round?

Narrowly dodging an arrow, Azalia announces and then casts dimension door and shifts to higher ground so that she isn't in danger of being trampled anymore.

Up to three people near her can come along if they want to reach out (why she announced she was casting). Without a map though, can't give an exact position, but someplace where we have cover would be good.

Ferocia takes off at a run, sprouts feathers, and flies up into the air — now a magnificent owl. She tears into the nearest flying thing with her talons.

Talon: 1d20 + 22 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 22 + 2 - 4 = 37
Magic Cold Iron Silver Slashing Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 2 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 2 + 8 = 22
Extra Damage if they're evil: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

And activating chimeric aspects.

They'll likely be a threat next round

Marten casts slow on 16 of the cattle, hoping to split the herd and lessen the effect of the stampede. DC 22 Will to negate.

He then flies to where he can release a cold ice strike on one of the vulture creatures.

Cold damage: 15d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 2, 6, 2, 2, 1, 5, 2, 1, 1, 3, 4, 2, 3, 5) + 8 = 52 <--Reflex DC 24 for half damage

Ferocia takes off at a run, sprouts feathers, and flies up into the air — now a magnificent owl. She tears into the nearest flying thing with her talons.

An arrow harmlessly bounced off of Drazh’s armor as the dwarf ascended. Like a mithril and gold cannonball he shot into the air, his hammer hitting with similar force. He knew that one blow wouldn’t be enough, but he figured that three or four would do the job.

Creydon moves to Azalia and starts cheering on his allies.
Inspire courage

Narrowly dodging an arrow, Azalia announces and then casts dimension door and shifts to higher ground so that she isn't in danger of being trampled anymore.

Marten casts slow on 16 of the cattle, hoping to split the herd and lessen the effect of the stampede. The herd starts to slow but safe as he is on his perch with his peers Marten prepares his next spell.

He then flies to where he can release a cold ice strike on one of the vulture creatures.
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Though some of them are reeling from the blows the strange creatures fight back. Marten finds himself struck particularly badly.
Bite Vs Ferocia: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20
Talon Vs Ferocia: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22
Talon Vs Ferocia: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31
Damage: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Bite Vs Drazh: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20
Talon Vs Drazh: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29
Talon Vs Drazh: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24
Bow Vs Creydon: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22
Bow Vs Creydon: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20
Bow Vs Creydon: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28
Bow Vs Azalia: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 1) + 5 = 12
Bow Vs Azalia: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 1) + 5 = 7
Bow Vs Azalia: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 20
Bow Vs Marten: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 37
Bow Vs Marten: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 3) + 5 = 9
Bow Vs Marten: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 2) + 5 = 11
Confirmation Roll Vs Marten: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30
Damage: 6d6 + 15 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 6, 5, 1) + 15 = 34

Ferocia
Drazh
Creydon
Azalia
Marten
Monsters Ferocia's target -24, Drazh's target -48, The Frosty One -52

Hit: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (8) + 30 = 38
Good Aligned Damage: 2d6 + 31 ⇒ (4, 6) + 31 = 41
Holy vs evil: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3
Acid: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Iterative 1: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24
Good Aligned Damage: 2d6 + 31 ⇒ (1, 1) + 31 = 33
Holy vs evil: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2
Acid: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Iterative 2: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20
Good Aligned Damage: 2d6 + 31 ⇒ (4, 2) + 31 = 37
Holy vs evil: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7
Acid: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Without being able to put his feet firmly on the ground, Drazh's form was off. However, the pure power behind his attacks was enough to make up for the lack of form. Even a glancing hit was going to hurt.

Without a map this is hard, so just going for it... but obviously this isn't something she would do unless she can affect a significant number of the enemy.

Azalia lobs a fireball, getting as many archers as she can without harming her own party.

Fire Damage: 10d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 5, 6, 6, 6, 2, 5, 2, 6) = 41

DC 20 reflex save for half damage

Seeing that he's gained the attention of at least three of the vulturic archers, Marten raises his mirror of guarding reflections and summons forth one of his reflections.

1 hits Marten: 1d2 ⇒ 2 <-- Image is intact, so it can be a potential target for the second arrow.
1 hits Marten: 1d2 ⇒ 2 <-- This is the most f!+~ing useless magic item I've ever purchased.

The mirror image fades away to reveal Marten with two oversized arrows protruding from his bloody chest. Grimacing in pain, he releases a chain lightning into the midst of fliers.

Primary target: 20d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 6, 5, 5, 6, 3, 3, 5, 3, 6, 3, 6, 5, 4, 5, 2, 4, 1, 3) = 81 <-- DC 27 reflex for half
16 secondary targets: 20d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 4, 1, 4, 6, 4, 1, 6, 5, 6, 3, 4, 6, 1, 5) = 69 <-- DC 25 reflex for half

"Keep at it!", Creydon urges, deploying more of his bardic magic!

Inspire Courage +3 with Lingering Performance, and HASTE! on as many of us as possible!

Ferocia tears into the bird-beast beside her with her talons. Shifter's Fury

Talon 1: 1d20 + 23 + 3 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 23 + 3 + 3 + 1 - 4 = 30
Magic Cold Iron Silver Slashing Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 3 + 3 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 3 + 3 + 8 = 23
If Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

Talon 2: 1d20 + 18 + 3 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 18 + 3 + 3 + 1 - 4 = 40
Magic Cold Iron Silver Slashing Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 3 + 3 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 3 + 3 + 8 = 20
If Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

Talon 3: 1d20 + 18 + 3 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 18 + 3 + 3 + 1 - 4 = 25
Magic Cold Iron Silver Slashing Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 3 + 3 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 3 + 3 + 8 = 24
If Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12

Talon 4 (haste): 1d20 + 23 + 3 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 23 + 3 + 3 + 1 - 4 = 37
Magic Cold Iron Silver Slashing Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 3 + 3 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 3 + 3 + 8 = 29
If Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

Yeah I'm pretty sure thats enough of them dead so the others will scarper.

A rattle of falling rock should attract their attention to an opening in a nearby building. The source of the sound is a strange humanoid creature. It appears to be heavy set and it's skintone matches the ruins behind it.

Loot
Mwk Large Composite Longbow x8

Marten signs to Anneka that ne needs some healing.

[h]”Nay idea what it’s saying. But take it that the dance is done?”[/b] Drazh asked. Still floating in the air he rested his hammer on his shoulder.

Marten dismisses Drazh's fly spell.

"Yes, play time is over for now," Marten says curtly as he tries to stuff one of his organs back inside of his body.

As the spell was dismissed the dwarf slowly floated to the ground. Used to this by now, he kept his same pose as he went down and was returned to a natural state of affairs.

Without waiting to be healed, Azalia walks over to about 30 feet away from the strange creature, examining it.

Perception: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (6) + 24 = 30

Having never learned Thassilonian, Drazh removed a gauntlet and cleaned his ear with a finger. Flicking away the obstruction he put the gauntlet back on and waited expectantly for the others to decide what to do.

So, guys, this man says it is prophesied that we need to kill a hidden beast to save his people (the Spared) from slavery. That sounds like us, right?

Despite the fact that he has three gaping wounds in his body and Anneka is ignoring him, Marten finds himself drawn into the conversation. He floats over and casts detect thoughts on the Spared man while Azalia talks to him.

Drazh didn’t say it, but he looked at Marten with respect for the way he carried his wounds.

Anneka moves about healing peoples injuries while the Spared man waits for your group decision.

"I believe that he believes what he's saying," Marten announces in common before botting Anneka.

Mass cure moderate wounds: 2d8 + 15 ⇒ (5, 8) + 15 = 28
Cure critical wounds on Marten: 4d8 + 1 ⇒ (8, 2, 5, 8) + 1 = 24
Cure serious wounds on Marten: 3d8 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) + 1 = 9
Cure light wounds on Marten: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Cure light wounds on Drazh: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Thanks Anneka!

"You're welcome!" Marten replies in a falsetto voice Anneka replies.

Azalia looks around to see if everyone is ready, and unless anyone objects, she tells the man that they are ready, and proceeds to follow him.

Ferocia nods. "Let's go."

Buried under the lava flow, the majority of the Slave District buildings are hidden completely from view. The region is a tangled network of caves and chambers. Explorers could spend weeks, if not months, wandering these tunnels and never see them all.

Morgiv knows the tunnels under the Slave District well and can lead the you to the very doorstep of the Hidden Beast's lair, bypassing its lax security with ease.

The tunnel opens into a large room, a cyst in the earth under the weight of the buried city formed by some ancient basement gallery. A raised balcony to the northwest is accessed by two stairs and has a low stone balustrade. Pillars along the room's perimeter rise to a vaulted ceiling, while in the center of the room sits a dais holding an ornate throne. Seated upon the throne is a skeletal figure shrouded in musty robes bearing arcane symbols.

A voice emanates from the skeletal figure. "Which of you would offer your blood to me? Step forward and feel the embrace of your new lord!"

Marten chortles obnoxiously at the skeleton and looks around the room. He spies the decapus and chortles again with raised eyebrows.

Looking directly at its location, he addresses it. "Dispense with this charade, little decapus, and come talk to us. We need information!"

Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

Azalia tells the rest of the group where the decapus is, in case they can't tell from where Marten is looking. She explains what it looks like (strange octopus creature).

She pulls a blunt arrow out, ready to shoot at the skeleton, but waits to see what happens with the octo-thing first.

"Decapus? Is that like an octopus, only with...what was it...ten arms?" Drazh asked, feeling very confused. Why would there be an invisible ten-armed octopus here?

Azalia counts.

Uh, yep. Ten. Have you seen one of these things before?

... it's ah... I think it could grab you from a ways out.

Azalia moves away if it comes closer, not letting it get within 10 feet of her.

Put my pic on the map, but not in an actual space because not sure which side octo-boy is on.

"What is not offered can always be taken!" The voice comes from the skeleton but the decapus still unseen by most gets ready to attack once more.

Azalia Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Ferocia Initiatve: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Creydon Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Drazh Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Marten Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Decapus Initiative: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Marten
Ferocia
Decapus
Azalia
Drazh
Creydon

Blinking in genuine surprise, Marten casts glitterdust on the decapus.

Ferocia sprouts her claws and activate her aspects. Then waits to see where the heck the octopus thing is...

Ferocia sprouts her claws and activate her aspects. Then waits to see where the heck the octopus thing is...

You should be able to see it as soon as my spell landed...

The decapus blinks just in time but now all can see a sparkly ten armed octupus twenty feet up the wall.

Will Save: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28