Rise of the Runelords

Game Master Kevin O'Rourke 440

+14 Ref, can’t fail? But if a 1 fails...
3d20 ⇒ (8, 18, 1) = 27
And a 1. Is that a failure?

Hit with adaptable study, defensive stance, competence bonus: 1d20 + 23 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 23 + 3 = 43
Damage: 2d6 + 18 + 3 ⇒ (5, 6) + 18 + 3 = 32

Iterative: 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 15 + 3 = 19
Damage: 2d6 + 18 + 3 ⇒ (6, 1) + 18 + 3 = 28

Blessing: 1d20 + 23 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 23 + 3 = 40
Damage: 2d6 + 18 + 3 ⇒ (2, 6) + 18 + 3 = 29

”Fire?! Bloody fooking basiches! I’ll make ye into a cobbled floor for a privy.”

Not sure it matters if I pass the saves. I think I am dead either way. But let's run the numbers.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26 half damage=15
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33 half damage=17
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25 half damage=20

Total damage 52. Current hit points I believe are 36 (unless we retcon that we healed up before coming in here). That takes me to -16 and my Con is 10.

Make sure you loot those keys off her body. :)

Reflex vs. yellow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 <-- 15 damage
Reflex vs. orange: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 <-- 33 damage
Reflex vs. red: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 <-- 40 damage

88 damage total. Marten's at -8. His Con is 14.

Thoroughly roasted, Marten sinks to the ground, bleeding out.

Yellow Ref DC 14: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 pass
Orange Ref DC 14: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 fail
Red Ref DC 14: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 fail 88 damage, pending answer to my question in Discussion.

As the embers of their death spiral into the center of the room, a strange feeling of peace settles over Anneka. She closes her eyes. It doesn't matter, for she can see the cloud of fire in her imagination, rolling outward with an inevitable hunger to consume her life.

Her thoughts turn to her family and loved ones. I'm sorry Mama. Arika. Casp. And Miron. But this isn't the end. I'll be with you soon.

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 2 + 2 = 27 Pass, taking 15 damage
Reflex: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 2 + 2 = 18 Pass, taking 16 damage
Reflex: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 + 2 = 31 Pass, taking 20 damage

Taking 51 total, putting me at 51 hp left.

Ferocia snarls in pain Using a swift action to activate her Chimeric Aspects (bear, monkey) to gain the bonus to CON, temp hp, and bonus to climb checks. Lasts 1 minute.

She takes a step forward and unleashes her fury on the yellow gargoyle.

Claw Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (16) + 17 + 2 - 3 = 32
Magic Cold Iron Silver Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 + 6 = 17
Holy Damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Claw Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 17 + 2 - 3 = 20
Magic Cold Iron Silver Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 + 6 = 15
Holy Damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

Extra Claw Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 17 + 2 - 3 = 30
Magic Cold Iron Silver Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 + 6 = 18
Holy Damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12

Oh! And...

Ferocia's trio of birds fall to the ground, nothing more than charred little corpses that crumble to ash upon impact.

Actually, I forgot again that I am a rogue. I have evasion. No damage. But three fireballs at once, I mean... that's legitimately horrible.

Seeing three fireballs headed for them all, Azalia thought she was toast, but after jumping out of the way (?!) and realizing that she is unscathed, Azalia looks at her fallen comrades, wondering what she can do. She attempts to administer first aid to Marten.

Heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Sorry. Not a strength. I can cast dimension door and get us out of here if you guys prefer.

Holy shit. How is it I don't have a single cure potion in my handy haversack?

Thoroughly roasted, Marten barely keeps his footing. Protection from energy fire Extremely upset with himself he realises he has no healing potions on him and decides to try to put down the injured ones before they can use an ability like that again but is a little annoyed neither of them collapse.
Electricity Damage: 11d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1, 5, 2, 3) = 38
Yellow Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Red Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Seeing three fireballs headed for them all, Azalia thought she was toast, but after jumping out of the way (?!) and realizing that she is unscathed, Azalia looks at her fallen comrades, wondering what she can do. She attempts to administer first aid to Marten. Knocking some arrows she tries to put down the one that is most badly injured... thankfully a well aimed arrow into it's gaping maw puts the creature down.
Attack 1: 1d20 + 12 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 1 - 2 = 31
Attack 2: 1d20 + 12 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 12 + 1 - 2 = 22
Attack 3: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 8
Attack 1 Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 12 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 1 - 2 = 25
Critical Damage: 3d8 + 6 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 7, 1) + 6 + (1) + (3) = 21

As the embers of their death spiral into the center of the room, a strange feeling of peace settles over Anneka. She closes her eyes. It doesn't matter, for she can see the cloud of fire in her imagination, rolling outward with an inevitable hunger to consume her life.

Her thoughts turn to her family and loved ones. I'm sorry Mama. Arika. Casp. And Miron. But this isn't the end. I'll be with you soon. But as the fire almost overtakes her the shadows seem to cling to her a little more warding away some of the fire, she yet stands. Still standing she releases curative magic to heal her allies... and herself. summons light to bind the creature.
Cure Light Wounds Mass: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
]ooc]Here was me think of resist energy[/ooc]
Creydon isn't as badly effected as some of his allies. Still he recognises these creatures must be put down as quickly as possible and casts haste.
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Ferocia snarls in pain. She takes a step forward and unleashes her fury on the gargoyle.

Ferocia's trio of birds fall to the ground, nothing more than charred little corpses that crumble to ash upon impact.
+1 Morale bonus to kill these things

”Fire?! Bloody fooking basiches! I’ll make ye into a cobbled floor for a privy.” Drazh steps up beside his dwarven companion, with hammer and claw it is put to and end.

The lone surviving creature opens it's maw and releases a torrent of fire on Drazh, Ferrocia and Creydon. It then moves to leave it's prison of light.
Reflex Vs Light Prison: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Damage for the creature: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Fire Damage DC21 to half... you should have some protection left as well: 8d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 2, 2, 5, 5, 4, 4) = 29

Marten
Azalia
Anneka
Creydon Cast Haste
Ferocia
Drazh
Garipans -3HP, Blinded.

Hasted, Azalia shoots again with the shock bow, hoping to kill the last gargoyle before it can do any further damage.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 12 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 1 - 2 = 15
Attack 2: 1d20 + 12 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 12 + 1 - 2 = 23
Attack 3: 1d20 + 12 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 12 + 1 - 2 = 27
Attack 4: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 23

Damage 1: 1d8 + 2 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (1) + (5) + 1 = 13 (electricity/acid)
Damage 2: 1d8 + 2 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + (2) + (2) + 1 = 14
Damage 3: 1d8 + 2 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + (1) + (3) + 1 = 15
Damage 4: 1d8 + 2 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + (2) + (4) + 1 = 16

Thoroughly roasted, Marten barely keeps his footing. Protection from energy fire Extremely upset with himself he realises he has no healing potions on him and decides to try to put down the injured ones before they can use an ability like that again but is a little annoyed neither of them collapse.

dice=Electricity Damage]11d6
dice=Yellow Reflex]1d20+8
dice=Red Reflex]1d20+8

Was this a lightning arc spell?

Seeing only one gargoyle-thing left standing, Marten decides to hold off on using his more potent spells for the remainder of this disappointingly easy encounter. He extends three fingers at the gargoyle, mutters an obscure and ancient word, and casts scorching ray.

Ray 1: 4d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 1, 3, 6) + 5 = 19
Ray 2: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 2, 3) = 11
Ray 3: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 1) = 6

All fire damage.

Still standing she . . . summons light to bind the creature.

Was that light prison?

Anneka opens here eyes, quite surprised to still be breathing. Taking a moment to collect herself, she steps beside Azalia, delivering a dose of positive energy.

cure serious wounds @ Azalia: 3d8 + 11 ⇒ (2, 5, 1) + 11 = 19

Blessing of fervor is still active.

Hit: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (18) + 24 = 42
Damage: 2d6 + 19 ⇒ (3, 1) + 19 = 23

Hit: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (5) + 24 = 29
Damage: 2d6 + 19 ⇒ (6, 5) + 19 = 30

Hit: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35
Damage: 2d6 + 19 ⇒ (2, 4) + 19 = 25

Drazh was shocked to find that he was unharmed by the fireballs. It was proof of the competence of his allies. Determined to prove useful as well, he laid into the surviving demon with his hammer, swinging away at it’s stony hide.

So we had Protection from fire 120 up? In that case I am at 102 hp, 69/120 fire protection remaining.
Reflex: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 2 = 15 Failing, taking 29 fire. 40/120 fire protection remaining.

Increasing my speed with blessing of fervour.

Seeing her birds family dead on the floor Ferocia lets out a growl of rage! She races across the room and leaps at the gargoyle, claws first!

Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 2 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (11) + 17 + 2 + 1 - 3 = 28
Magic Cold Iron Silver Slashing Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 + 6 = 14
Holy Damage if Evil: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

Forgot Fire damage. Anything but a 1 for half: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Fire Resist left: 120 - 15 - 16 - 40 - 15 = 34

32 fire resist remaining for Marten

Creydon keeps encouraging his friends throughout, anything to keep his mind from going into shock from the fiery assault.

Inspire courage +3

Thanks Anneka.

Seeing only one gargoyle-thing left standing, Marten decides to hold off on using his more potent spells for the remainder of this disappointingly easy encounter. He extends three fingers at the gargoyle, mutters an obscure and ancient word, and casts scorching ray.
Yes lightning arc spell... also I need to roll for the rays to hit. Ouch, sorry. Please point out if I missed the rolls.
Ray 1 Touch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Ray 2 Touch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Ray 3 Touch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Hasted, Azalia shoots again with the shock bow, hoping to kill the last gargoyle before it can do any further damage.

Anneka opens here eyes, quite surprised to still be breathing. Taking a moment to collect herself, she steps beside Azalia, delivering a dose of positive energy.
Light Prison that's the one

Creydon keeps encouraging his friends throughout, anything to keep his mind from going into shock from the fiery assault.

Seeing her birds family dead on the floor Ferocia lets out a growl of rage! She races across the room and leaps at the gargoyle, claws first!

Drazh was shocked to find that he was unharmed by the fireballs. It was proof of the competence of his allies. Determined to prove useful as well, he laid into the surviving demon with his hammer, swinging away at it’s stony hide until it collapses to the floor.

...it would appear there's a reason these mages haven't had a winner in some time. But another key is added to the collection of our heroes.

”Bloody fookin’ hell! How is a lone mage supposed to do this? These beasties are right nasty. This isn’t a test. It’s an...an execution! Or something!” He waves with exasperation at the rocky corpses on the ground.

I'm guessing this is one where the contestants were supposed to sneak and then run away, fast? But hopefully this way will make it survivable for the next person? Unless... do gargoyles regenerate? They are really dead, right?

I really have no idea, but I know there are some outside in my Rappan Athuk game that we have to fight *every time* we approach that entrance. Is that normal?

Honestly, Anneka saved everyone with that protection spell. Good thinking!

”Bloody fookin’ hell! How is a lone mage supposed to do this? These beasties are right nasty. This isn’t a test. It’s an...an execution! Or something!” He waves with exasperation at the rocky corpses on the ground.

"What? No, with proper planning and strategy, a lone mage can do amazing things! Granted, this contest is meant to be challenging, so it would have to be an exceptional lone mage. I imagine that they increased the risk once they allowed people to cooperate as a group.

"You all seem to be suffering from the delusion that The Acadamae is turning out stuffy librarians or some sort of magical jesters. A person going out into this world armed with the arcane arts needs to be every bit as lethal as an armed warrior or resourceful as a thief in the night. More so! This contest represents that. None of the risks in these challenges should surprise you."

"Aye, aye. But last room there were bloody demons! And these things? I wonder how many promising mages have died in this place over the years. Seems like a bloody waste to me."

Anneka slaps her forearm and her spring-loaded wrist sheath discharges her healing wand. "Who's still injured?" she asks.

"A bit, yes." I'm 10 down.

"A few scratches. Seems like the beasties here can't quite get through my armor. Yet. Save yer magic."

3 down out of effective 145. No need to heal

I'm barely scratched, but can't hurt to be ready for the next challenge. We can't get overconfident... I'm pretty sure these keys get us into the main event. This is all just the prep work.

"Prep work?! Are ye bloody serious? We just fought demons, got covered in fireballs, and..." He thought back to the trap, and decided, for once, to show some decorum "...and bloody hell. They're making us work for this gold, aren't they?"

Creydon raises his hand.

"Still scorched."

I'm a bit frazzled here, not sure how much HP Creydon has lost. I'll work out the numbers tomorrow.

"Before we step into the next challenge, I'll be striking up a chorus."

Inspire courage in the turn we are walking in

Ferocia ignores everyone, standing still and staring at a pile of ashes on the floor.
.
.
.
.
...Eventually she pulls out a little sack and scoops all the ashes into it. Then she carefully ties the sack up and places it in her bag.

Those birds survived the Kreegs, Hook Mountain and the Siege of Sandpoint...

If you guys want to enter at the same time you'll need one more. Hall of Charms or the Hall of Whispers... choose wisely

Creydon sees the little piles of ash...and realises only then that the birds are gone.

He falls silent.

Noticing it, Drazh didn’t give it a second thought. Her pets died, and that was sad. But they were just birds. He knew plenty canaries die in the mines. At least they had a purpose. And she could buy as many as she wanted after this. He *almost* said this to comfort her, but thought better of it. Something told him that she wasn’t right in the head, and as such would take offense...for some reason.

Azalia notices as Ferocia acts out her sorrow, wishing she could do something about it, but knowing Ferocia (at least a little), it would probably make it worse to draw attention to it. Instead, she tries to keep the focus off Ferocia.

Onward then. Hall of Charms next, right?

Creydon shakes off his uncertainty.

"Hall of Charms it will be."

clw @ Marten: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
clw @ Marten: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
clw @ Azalia: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

16 CLW charges remaining.

Anneka secures her wand, glancing at Ferocia. The world seems overflowing with inexplicable loss and pain. Would life ever be normal for any of them after all of this?

"Charms," she agrees.

Thanks, Anneka.

At the Hall of Charms, Azalia checks for traps from the doorway, just in case.

Just trying not to land in the middle of TPK scariness again. Don't mind me. :)

Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (9) + 21 = 30

The Hall of Charms’s challenge is located in a large lecture hall in the center of the building. This hall’s blue key-light begins the encounter floating in front of the mirror on the lecture hall stage, but as soon as the first person enters the room, the key-light begins to fly throughout the room, always attempting to put as much distance as it can between itself and any creatures in the room.

Before the group enters the room Azalia does notice that the room is primed with a magical trap.

Azalia tries to disable it from 30 feet away (supernatural ability: Ranged Legerdemain).

Disable Device: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (1) + 25 = 26

Holy freaking cats. Dicebot is now trying to kill me. Fickle thing.

Azalia fails... but she's so damn good the trap doesn't go off allowing her to attempt it again.
Disable Device: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (3) + 25 = 28
...and again...
Disable Device: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (7) + 25 = 32
...until she succeeds.

Ferocia stalks after the others in silence and waits for Anneka to give them the go-ahead.

Creydon enters, humming a tune.

[ooc]Inspire courage +3[/dice]

The magical trap is disabled now, guys. Sorry it took me so long.

Azalia goes into the room first, just in case she was wrong and there is another trap. If she remains alive, she swipes at the light with mage hand (50 foot range).

[dice=clw @ Marten]1d8+1

[dice=clw @ Marten]1d8+1
[dice=clw @ Azalia]1d8+1

16 CLW charges remaining.

Anneka, please take one of those charges back. The first two topped Marten off.

Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37

Azalia pulls the key closer with her cantrip but she is rewarded for her caution as before physically touching it she realises that the key is also trapped. Checking it under detect magic she notes it has a transmutation aura.

Drazh stood in the back, watching. He had no idea what was going on, but his respect for Azalia and her craft had definitely increased.

"Have you got the key yet, Azalia?"

Creydon strolls over to Azalia.

"Need a hand?"

Aid Another with Spellcraft for +6, DC 10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Hold on guys. There is another trap. Just a second.

Azalia attempts to disable the trap.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (10) + 25 = 35

Azalia skillfully remove the mystical trap... apparently a baleful polymorph!

With another key the group can proceed as a whole into the Hall of Wards.