SR's - Great Southern Isles (PbP) (Inactive)

Game Master stormraven

I say bring 'em, at a distance. Jimmy had a good point about us needing to be ready in case an exit opportunity presents itself. I don't want to put them in danger, but that's what Fin's for, right? She can play baby-sitter a ways back while we do the fun stuff. :)

And I think Jimmy's direction is fine, too. I have no better ideas, anyway.

Jayse watches the exchange between the group and the little girl, obviously confused and concerned about the strange situation into which they've stumbled.

Note to self... give Ushari hell for suggesting we needed to help these women out...

Though one look at the cute little girl makes him feel bad about the thought. He covers it by trying to look decisive, "So, we ready to head out? I guess I'll take point if Findelgwing is hanging back."

Stealth 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24.
Perception 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23.

OK that works for me. The women/children can hang back some ways and Fin can be rear guard. No issues with the direction suggested either.

Ushari nods in agreement with Jayse, completely unaware of the look in his eyes. She turns to the women, "OK, we are moving out of here. While the rest of us are scouting ahead, Fin here will guard your rear. Yell if you see anything bad."

I assume the marching order is Jayse, Jofram, Ushari, Straehan...(~30')...Women/children, Fin. Does that work?

You wend your way down the corridor, Jayse creeping ahead. The frescoes along the walls show an improbably handsome young man in a threadbare robe stalking through a jungle. All manner of exotic jungles beasts peer out from the foliage.

Jayse silently signals a halt. In the room ahead he spies a figure, like a statue, giving off smoke. After a moment he realises it isn't smoke but mist. The roughly human sized and shaped figure looks sculpted from a single piece of blue ice. Whatever it is, it hasn't moved.

You seem to be looking into a room. Unfortunately, you can't tell much about it from the sliver you can see.

Corridor

Stealth Check: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21 (23 vs. Human)

At Jayse's signal, Jofram stops and quietly draws his sword. Gesturing for Fin and the rescued prisoners to stay put, he awaits another signal from Jayse.

Does the statue look like the man in the frescos? Also, it should be obvious, but his blade is out, and he's recharged his psychic strike on the way over.

Jayse quietly steps to the back of the group, indicating that Jofram should keep an eye on the room. He then pulls Straehan and Ushari together, whispering quietly to them. "There's statue or something in the next room. I don't know what it is, but thought you two could take a look. Maybe check it for magic or something before we proceed?"

Ushari nods wordlessly to Jayse, and slips in front of him. Whispering softly, she casts her detect magic cantrip and scans the statue, also keeping an eye out for additional threats.

Cast Detect Magic.
Perception 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 2 = 16 unicorn
Spellcraft 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 = 27 unicorn

Ushari scans the frosty statue and detects no magical emanations from it. As an art object, it is rather crude, bearing only a superficial resemblance to a human being. It doesn't look like the guy in the frescoes.

Jofram - I'm assuming that when the last combat ended, you cancelled the armor generated by your gauntlet otherwise you'd have burned through all your rounds while Straehan was picking the locks in the prison. So, FYI, you'll have to re-deploy the armor when you want it. So far, you have used 5 of 40 rounds of protection for the day.

Ushari shakes her head and holds a finger up indicating silence. She cautious creeps up to the room and peers in. Assuming she does not see anything, she will enter the room heading towards the statue, check for hidden tripwires, etc.

Perception 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 2 = 14 unicorn
Ohh boy...
Is it too late to retire?

Ushari takes a quick peek around the room, sees nothing, and sneaks in before she can hear Straehan whisper an urgent question...

? 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

I admire your pluck, Ush, if not your rolls. :) You do realise that Straehan has the Trap Sense, Trap Spotter, and Trap Finder abilities as a Sage, right? He was designed to do this sort of work while you corner the market on stealth/acrobat.

So have Strae go with her once he realizes what she's doing! :)

Jayse stands nervously back in the hallway, preparing to rush in should something go wrong.

Jayse's concerns are well justified...

Ushari sweeps the floor in front of her for traps, breathing a small of sigh of relief when nothing untoward happens. But perhaps her focus was on the unseen perils in front of her a shade too much as she gingerly approaches the statue. Watching from the corridor, Jofram doesn't even have time to call out a warning as a large, strange, multi-legged thing rushes out from a dark corner of the room and leaps onto the hapless acrobat.

Ushari's first warning is the impact of the creature on her back and the rake of its crusty talons. Ushari spins around sending the creature falling to the floor. She see what looks like a massive, rotting, clawed hand, easily 4' across. It stretches its fingers languorously and tenses to pounce on her again. Bits of her flesh still cling to its dirty, hook-like nails.

Round: 1
ORDER: Jofram, Jayse, Straehan, Ushari, Hand

Talk to the Hand

THE CLAAAAAAAAAAAAAW!

"Jofram! We gotta support Ushari! Hit it from this side, I'll flank it!"

Actions incoming.

I think Jayse can close to T-10 without provoking. If that's the case…

Jayse rushes around the room, ending with a diving strike back at the strange opponent. Rolling to his feet, he calls out, "Ushari, you alright?!"

I didn't include flanking below, but if Jofram ends in the square north of the hand, Jayse gets another +2 for flanking.

Move to T-10.
Two-handed, Power Attacking psychic Strike against the hand-thing.
Mindblade 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 - 2 + 2 = 19. Power Attack, Unicorn.
--> Damage 1d8 + 8 + 1d8 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 + (1) + 6 + 2 = 19; psychic strike, power attack, unicorn.

Quick as a flash, Jofram rushes to Ushari's aid, Elven Curve Blade a blur of violent motion. Vaelos takes wing, hovering high over the ensuing battle.

Move to T9 - Flanking!
Attack: (Arcane Strike, Power Attack): 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 6 + 1 = 16

Jofram and Jayse dash into the room, striking at the strange predator. The gnarled hand is quick, leaping sideways and flattening itself before springing up again. The well-digited beast evades Jofram's strike, which raises a shower of sparks across the stone floor. Jayse's slash catches it across a knuckle, shearing off a talon. Then the horrific nature of the beast becomes apparent as pus and gore sprew from the wound onto the monk. With the mystic luck of the unicorn, Jayse avoids catching a faceful of the vile goo which spatters across his clothing. He can feel the taint of it through his shirt. A whiff of the foul stuff makes his skin crawl.

Round: 1
ORDER: Jofram, Jayse, Straehan, Ushari, Hand

Straehan enters the room and slides along the wall to a spot where he can bring his magic to bear without barbecuing any of his comrades. Even so, the sheet of flame he releases brushes everyone in the room and licks at the ice sculpture. At the last moment, the fetid hand splays its fingers and drops below the fan of fire. The wiry hairs on the back of the hand are singed off.

Round: 1
ORDER: Jofram, Jayse, Straehan, Ushari, Hand

Talk to the Hand

By the Gods, what IS this thing??

Ushari lets out a gasp as the hand slashes at her, only her newly doffed armor saving her from a gruesome blow. She reacts instantly though, striking with her sword at the hand taking advantage of Jofram's flank to strike at it.

Attack Shortsword 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 20 flank, unicorn
Damage 1d6 + 1 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 + (1, 5) = 11 unicorn, sneak attack

As she strikes at it, she studies it to determine if it is an undead creature, and if so, what weaknesses it has.

Knowledge Religion 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 2 = 31 unicorn

Ushari looks at the vile creature and recalls that it is a peculiar and rare type of undead - a Giant Crawling Hand. It is a manufactured assassin that is faultless in stalking the quarry it is assigned to kill. Without a target, it can select a target at will. It has no obvious weaknesses but it is best attacked with blunt weapons to prevent the toxic spray of its foulness which is potentially more dangerous than its claws.

The Hand lunges at the monk and sink its remaining claws into the face of its attacker.

You hear the sound of ice cracking as the statue's mouth opens and a stinging blast of ice shards spray across the room striking everyone. Jayse and Ushari dodge the effects of the arctic sleet but Jofram and the Hand are struck with full force. Ice coats them both. Straehan catches only part of the blast, unintentionally shielded by the Hand.

Round: 2
ORDER: Jofram, Jayse, Straehan, Ushari, Hand, Ice Ice Baby

Talk to the Hand

Ja's HPs: 33|42
Jo's HPs: 35|46
U's HPs: 30|30
S's HPs: 32|37

If Jayse took no damage because of Evasion, he doesn't actually have it yet. The Weapon Adept Monk doesn't get evasion until lvl 9. :(

Jayse - in the face of the ice-spraying statue and the muck-spewing hand - perseveres. He slides gracefully frorm to form, blade whistling through the air as it crashes towards the hand.

Flurry, spending a ki-point for an extra attack, all power attacks (w/ Unicorn bonus). 4/6 ki remaining.
Mindblade attack 1 1d20 + 9 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 2 - 2 = 16.
--> Damage 1d8 + 6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 + 4 = 18.
Mindblade attack 2 1d20 + 9 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 2 - 2 = 18.
--> Damage 1d8 + 6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 + 4 = 15.
Mindblade attack 3 1d20 + 9 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 2 - 2 = 26. <-- Possible crit!
--> Damage 8 + 6 + 2 + 4 = 20.

Crit confirm 1d20 + 9 + 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 2 - 2 + 1 = 12.
--> Damage 20 + 1d8 + 6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ 20 + (6) + 6 + 2 + 4 = 38.

Jofram is shocked by the sudden blast of cold from the statue, but keeps his focus on the giant disembodied hand. He strikes again with his blade, in a savage attempt to split it in twain.

Attack (Arcane Strike, Power Attack) 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 6 + 1 = 20

If Jayse took no damage because of Evasion, he doesn't actually have it yet. The Weapon Adept Monk doesn't get evasion until lvl 9. :(

Doh! That's what I get from relying on my memory. I'll update the HP totals.

"If we can take down this hand thing, lets get away from the statue!"

Jayse and Jofram bring their blades down in tandem, hacking the necromantic Hand in half. It explodes in a burst of fish-belly white, worm-like strands of pus accompanied by a stench so awful that it beggars description. Only the sight of the Hand dissolving into its own filth - destroyed - makes the foul smell bearable. Fortunately, neither warrior is struck by the foul corruption raining down.

Round: 2
ORDER: Jofram, Jayse, Straehan, Ushari, Ice Ice Baby

Talk to the Hand

Ja's HPs: 28|42
Jo's HPs: 35|46
U's HPs: 30|30
S's HPs: 32|37

Ben, honesty (particularly when it bites the character in the ass) gets rewarded. There is one and ONLY one secret door in this labyrinth. In Jayse's travels, he has passed it. Before you leave this place, you'll want to find it.

"If we can take down this hand thing, lets get away from the statue!"

Well, sure moving to T11 would have been the smart thing to do…

Bah, T11 is totally overrated. Go stand next to the statue. :) That's where all the real fun is.

Bah, T11 is totally overrated. Go stand next to the statue. :) That's where all the real fun is.

If I can still take a move action after the hand dies, I will

And jayse would love to take a 5' step if he can back towards the corridor through which we came.

Jayse can't help but feel like he's missed something... some detail his subconscious mind picked up on as he was staggering through the halls earlier. :)

Jofram - Sadly, your blow wasn't the finishing one and I think your intention was to stick out the combat until the Hand was killed. With a turn-based system, opening up speculative movement based on what might happen is tricky unless it is declared as a ready action before adjudication. Otherwise, it becomes 20/20 Hindsight prognostication... "Oh, if I knew the first badguy was going to drop his sword then I definitely would have charged past him". So - bottom line - no full move. However, given the immediacy and quickness of a 5' step, you can take one of those if you wish.

Jayse - your blow put the nail in the Hand's coffin. You can 5' step. Just tell me a square.

I'm having trouble opening the map for some reason, but up-left should be good.

That'll put Jayse at S9. I'll move Straehan out of the way, so Jofram you could move to S8 if that interests you.

Ushari sighs in relief. That could have ended much more badly. She channels a healing burst for the warriors and retreats out of the room to the corridor previously explored.

Channel Energy use 4/5
Heal 2d6 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9
Move to Q7.

After she has done so, she motions to Straehan. ”Soooo…what do you make of that statue?”

Jofram - taking a 5' step? If so, the only occupied square is Jayse at S9.

Ushari - I'm going to assume that was a withdraw action since you used the word 'retreat'.

The pocket-sorcerer delays to ensure Ushari makes a safe retreat before sliding past her, further into the hallway. He considers her question and speaks professorially. "Well, it seems to be a simple, trapped statue. Probably set up as a diversion to allow that Hand to attack. Fairly run-of-the-mill I expect..."

The sharp crack of ice emanates from the room and echoes down the empty halls. The 'statue' moves. Wrenching the ice free from its joints, it stalks towards the remaining warriors. Its slab-like feet hit the floor like mallet blows while blue-in-blue eyes scan targets.

Straehan's eyes go wide and his jaw slackens, "... OR I'm a complete horse's ass and totally wrong about everything I just said." He turns down the hall, yelling, "FIN! Back those folks up! We may be coming out... in a HURRY!"

Round: 2
ORDER: Jofram, Jayse, Ushari, Straehan, Ice Ice Baby

Jayse begins to mutter to himself, "Of course this place has an ice-spewing trap-sculptures capable of uprooting themselves and following you around. I mean, they have to fill out the set… ya know… to go with the crawling, attacking, muck-spewing giant severed hand and the nearly impossible-to-hit, floating, lightning-shooting lantern! I cant' wait to meet this chair man.. what wondrous mysteries will he hold?!"

In mute answer, the statue stalks implacably towards the monk, driving a blow towards his head with its ice-block sized fist propelled by a pistoning arm. Taste my relentless DM EVIL. :p

Jayse sidesteps the blow but feels the glacial air coming off the arm as it passes by his ear.

Round: 3
ORDER: Jofram, Jayse, Ushari, Straehan, Ice Ice Baby

That's Brisk, baby!

Ja's HPs: 37|42
Jo's HPs: 44|46
U's HPs: 30|30
S's HPs: 37|37

Jofram - jes' to keep things moving, I left you in your previous spot you still have a 5' move you can take from the previous round.

The spinning sidestep carries Jayse around the north side of the statue. Jayse finds himself momentarily facing back down the corridor, and he gives his group-mates a wink before bringing his blade around for two horizontal slashes, the first to the thing's solid mid-section and the second flicking up towards its neck and face. The whole thing happens as if in slow-motion for Jayse, focused as he is in the Calm.

5' step to R-10, then flurry for two attacks - using Perfect strike on the first one. Both attacks using power attack and teh unicorn bonus.
None of these attacks include flanking, so if Jofram moves to flank, add 2 to attacks.

Jayse slides around the side of the statue. His first blow skitters harmlessly off its angular and diamond hard body. Jays aims his second blow at a crease in the creature's neck. The blade bites in then stops short. He yanks it free to see that his strong blow has only made a shallow slice in the frozen creature's 'skin'.

Jofram - taking a 5' step? If so, the only occupied square is Jayse at S9.

Yes! I'll 5' step to T10.

As the Jayse dodges the statue, Jofram jumps the opposite direction, flanking the construct. He slashes his blade down on it's back, using all his strength to break through the metal flesh.

Attack(Arcane Strike, Power Attack): 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 11 <--Booooooo.
Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 6 + 1 = 15

Sadly, like Jayse, Jofram's initial strike also bounces off the oddly angular surface of the creature.

Ushari up...

Ushari realizes if the warriors are having difficulty chipping its icy skin, there was little chance her weapons would have any better luck. She knew a spell to create a sonic burst, but it would also catch the warriors in its effects.

She instead selects a different spell…

Cast Spiritual Weapon
Attack 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 = 15 unicorn
Damage 1d8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 = 6 unicorn force

She then reaches into her pouch and activates Skitter, knowing his skills may be needed here....

The magical weapon dances in and strikes at the creature. The weapon's edge vanishes as it approaches the frosty being. It passes through the creature like mist.

As I understand the rules, your conjured blade cannot harm this creature.

Factoring in this latest turn of events, Straehan assesses what they are up against...

"Hells, this thing is an Ice Golem! Magic is all but useless. I've got a few fire spells that should affect it but I'm running low. And unless you've got adamant blades, you're going to have trouble harming it."

DR:5/Adamantium
Vulnerable to Fire

Straehan marshals his remaining energy reserves (as well as his courage if we are being honest) and sneaks around the corner. He casts his spell curious to see if Ice Golems actually melt. The flames leap across the creature, smoothing hard edges and raising a small cloud of steam around it. Its head swivels to take in this new threat.

Round: 3
ORDER: Jofram, Jayse, Ushari, Straehan, Ice Ice Baby

The use of magic seems to draw the golem's attention. It ignores the fighters flanking it and takes a single large step to close the distance with the pint-sized caster. Both of its fists lash out, trying to hammer Straehan into the wall. The gnome cringes and turns sideways hoping to dodge either fist.

Ice and mist spray everywhere as the rock-hard fists smash home with a resounding crunch. When the mist clears, the wincing gnome is unharmed and massive Golem-fist-sized holes are in the wall on either side of him.

The gnome goes from astonished to relieved. He squeaks, "Turn this bastard into ice-cubes! I don't want to see those frost-anvils up close again!"

Round: 4
ORDER: Jofram, Jayse, Ushari, Straehan, Ice Ice Baby

That's Brisk, baby!

Ja's HPs: 37|42
Jo's HPs: 44|46
U's HPs: 30|30
S's HPs: 37|37

Jayse's spinning blade follows his target, continuing its furious flight.

Another round of Flurry, this time augmented by ki for another attack.
Flank, Unicorn, and Power attacks mods included. 3/6 remaining.

I think the Spiritual Weapon gets dispelled...

Ushari curses as her blade vanishes. She elects to move to assist Jayse with his blows, knowing he had the best chance to damage it.

5' step to Q8
AA to Assist Jayse +2 to hit 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 = 13 unicorn

Jofram closes in with the others, surrounding the icy behemoth and driving his blade into the cold construct.

Move to S10
Attack (Arcane Strike, Power Attack): 1d20 + 9 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 2 - 2 = 29 Crit?
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 9 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 2 - 2 = 14
Damage: 1d10 + 6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 6 + 1 = 23 + 23 for confirm (unlikely)

Ushari tumbles in, drawing the creature's attention away from the hapless gnome as Jayse and Jofram set to carve ice.

Their whirlwind of slashes exploit the cracks their initial blows created. The phantasmal elf blade and the blue thought-blade find purchase in expanding water-slicked cracks on opposite sides of the creature. Both men drive their blades deep and lean against them, trying to rend the gaps open. The golem tries fruitlessly to pull the men off its back.

Something loud cracks in the center of the golem and it freezes in place momentarily. All that is heard is the sound of ice cracking as a network of fissures expand across the body of the golem. The myriad of cracks and the shattering sounds escalate at an alarming rate. When the noise can't seem to get any louder, the golem explodes in mist, chunks, and daggers of ice that are thrown in all directions. The blast sends the comrades sprawling across the floor. Only Ushari, with a quick set of tumbles, is able to avoid being struck by the ice.

Combat OVER

Ja's HPs: 28|42
Jo's HPs: 35|46
U's HPs: 30|30
S's HPs: 28|37

"Damn," mutters Jofram, covered in a near-freezing sheen of mist. "that beach is looking pretty good, right about now."

He kicks a large chunk of ice across the floor, where it shatters against the wall.

"What is with this place?!"

Ushari rises back to her feet, prompting an angry chitter from Skitter. Placing him back in his pouch, she silently nods at Jofram and releases her final healing blast for the day.

Channel use 5/5 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 5) + 2 = 8 unicorn

Once she has finished, she glances at the remains of the ice golem. "I am nearly spent of divine power. We should consider finding a place to hole up so we can rest." She turns her gaze to Jofram, "You mentioned a beach? Do you think it would be safe to rest there?"