Seadogs and Scallywags

Game Master Grymp

Chaenath wipes her hands off and peers into the tunnels trying to see which way is best

Per North tunnel: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Per South Tunnel: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

If she can't see anything she'll say

North seems fine to me A-less-San-dra

The two tunnel directions look pretty similar. The one to the NE looks to go on further than she can see, as does the SE one, and each appear to have side tunnels branching off of them maybe 20-30' along.

"That....hurt...." Ethron shakes off the feeling of having his blood being sucked and quickly stomps the thing into mush. "I need. A very. Very. Big drink."

Taking a look at his surroundings after following down the cavern, Ethron weighs his choices. When he thinks, he mutters.

"Should we head north or south? Either way seems like an option, perhaps they loop around and meet each other. Then again, the killer has given her vote and there doesn't seem to be any other votes..."

"I agree, we head north. Either way should get us out of here. Hopefully."

"That....hurt...." Ethron shakes off the feeling of having his blood being sucked and quickly stomps the thing into mush. "I need. A very. Very. Big drink."

Despite the situation, Alessandra flashes the man a quick grin. "I think we're going to get on well."

I think that's three of five votes for north?

"It's yer lucky day, then..." Rogar says, and produces one of the rum bottles he hid among the barrels before they left. After taking a long swig from the bottle, he passes it to Ethron. "'ere ya go. Might not be th' finest drink there is, but gets th' work done. Now, we moving or what?" With the gentle burn of the cheap rum in his throat, Doc starts walking towards the northern corridor. "Oh yeah, Malevor goes first..."

Malevor (I assume) leads out and the group heads up the NE path. You go maybe 25' and there is a small tunnel that breaks off to the left just as the tunnel opens up into a cavern that has been carved to resemble the interior of some great sea creature, its ribs towering over and around the chamber.

Malevor discovers that the area of water he is trudging through is filled with fish hooks and netting.

When entering such an area on foot or by swimming through the seaweed, the PCs must make a DC 10 Ref lex save or be snagged by the hooks and become entangled. A snagged creature can escape with a DC 10 Escape Artist check or by breaking the hooks with a DC 10 Strength check.

Malevor can make his reflex save, and the rest of you can as you come further in.

Additionally, Malevor gets an action before the 8 grindylows attack.

Eight?! I'm really coming to hate these little bastards with a passion...

Can Chaenath sling spells at the grindylows from where she is and not have to go through the hook/net area (Sorry can't see map)? Actually maybe we should stay back and let the grindylows come to us.

Also can Chaenath try a knowledge roll again for Grindylows or no? I think this rule changes from GM to GM but she put in points into KN:Dungeoneering on level up if that makes a difference.

"Doc, you're a life saver." He takes the bottle of rum, quickly downing a fair amount. If I have to roll to avoid becoming drunk, I totally will. Ethron's been unable to drink for far too long.

"Now, onward, shall we?" As they proceed down the cavern hallway, when they reach the hook and net sludge, Ethron halts. "Perhaps there's another way around?" And then the Grindylows attack. "*sigh* Perhaps not." Ethron draws his bow, taking aim at the one closest to Melavor.

To Hit+Coordinated Shot: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 = 15 +1 if within 30ft.
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2+1 if within 30ft.

You can remember I have P-BS, right? I don't have to keep adding 1 if within 30ft, right?

"Son of a-" Malevor steps into a defensive position and waits for the incoming attackers.
Fighting defensively and readied attack against the first attacker.
AC 19

Readied attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Ref Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Four of the grindylows move in to attack Malevor. They swim across the hooks, thus avoiding the trap. As they get close, Malevor strikes one and kills it dead!

The other three attack him.

Spear: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 Miss
DMG: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Spear: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 Miss
DMG: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Spear: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 Miss
DMG: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

All three attacks miss.

Those three then use their squidlike tentacles to attempt to trip Malevor.

Malevor gets an AOO against the first of their trip attempts:

AOO: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 Hit
damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

And Malevor drops yet another grindylow!

The trip attempts:

trip: 1d20 + 0 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 0 + 4 = 13 Fail

trip: 1d20 + 0 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 0 + 4 = 5 Fail

Neither of those overcomes Malevor's CMD, so Malevor has survive the full might of 4 grindylows undamaged, has dropped two of them and is standing strong.

The remaining 4 throw their spears at Doc and Ethron.

@Doc

Spear: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 Miss
DMG: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Spear: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 Hit
DMG: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

@Ethron

Spear: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 Miss
DMG: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Spear: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 Hit
DMG: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

@Chaenath, you can absolutely throw spells at them from here, either against the 4 that just threw spears, of the 2 remaining facing Malevor.

@Chaenath, I'm gtg with your trying knowledge again having now gained a level and learned new things.

@Ethron, do please keep reminding me of the +1s. Now were you firing at the ones on Malevor, or the ones that just threw spears?

Everyone but Ethron can go now. Just waiting to hear who Ethron targeted to determine his success.

Since we're playing without maps, a rough estimate of distances would be nice for Rogar as well. I think it's easier for the GM if I have the bonuses/penalties for PBS and range increments. Anyway, I believe the spear chucking grindlylows are not in combat with Malevor, and are within 20ft of Rogar?

"Ha! The lads' pretty good!" Rogar observes, after Malevor has dropped two enemies without taking a scratch himself. The dwarf himself wasn't so lucky, but what is one scar added to his weather-beaten skin. And since this is now a throwing competition, Rogar returns the favor, with bombs of his own making of course.

Tanglefoot Bomb, PBS: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 = 10
Splash 6, DC 14 Ref to halve, DC 14 Ref or be glued/entangled. rules

Right, no maps, takes me back to my younger gaming days! Hmmm, so I didn't give them penalties for tossing those spears, so yes, they are close.

Rogar connects squarely with one of the spear throwers dropping it, and the splash hits the two adjacent, for...

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 Fail
Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 Fail

Full damage, and two more drop.

There remain only 1 grindylow back out of melee, and then 2 up on Malevor.

Still waiting to see where Ethron was shooting.

Kn:Dungeon: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Chaenath would like to know AC, attack rolls, resistances, and vulnerabilities, in order of preference

"Good work!" Alessandra is impressed: Malevor clearly knows how to fight. Noting that only one of the things is out of melee, the girl studies the target, draws an arrow and fires.

Longbow (BAB, Dex, Studied target): 1d20 + 3 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 4 + 1 = 17

Damage (Str, Studied target): 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10

@Chaenath - They have AC 15/13/13, and +2 melee attacks.

Alessandra shoots down the grindylow that isn't in melee.

2 left, both on Malevor.

They're dying so fast! Let me help them die faster! Chaenath hits one of them with an Evil Eye Hex targeting AC and then cackles.

Evil Eye for 2 rounds if makes Will Save DC 15, otherwise for 8 rounds

Long nights suck. Sorry for the delay!

Ethron's arrow flies at the grindylow closest to the badass that is Malevor. (Hense the +1 from Coordinated Shot)

"Damn you're good! OW!! You son of a goatwhore!!" Ethron retaliates, the spear cutting across his chest right where the giant mosquito was draining him. He fires on the grindylow that hit him.

To Hit + PBS: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 = 21
Damage + PBS: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Ethron shoots down one of the two grindylows on Malevor, leaving only 1.

Malevor is up.

Let's say that's the one Chaenath hexed :)

Let's say that's the one Chaenath hexed :)

Agreed.

Malevor takes a swing at the remaining grindylow...

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

And misses.

The grindylow swings its spear at Malevor...

attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 miss
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

And it's bite

attack: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10 miss
damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

It attempts to trip him with a tentacle, which provokes an AOO from Malevor...

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 hit
damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

And Malevor drops the last grindylow!

Combat over.

Among the countless smaller skeletal fetishes here are a scrimshawed hammerhead shark skull with a piece of driftwood thrust through it. The skull is worth 250 gp. There is also an ivory walrus tusk set with gold with a scrimshawed map of the Shackles worth 400 gp, and a curious harp made from the jaw of an orca set with pearls worth 500 gp.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

"Anyone hurt? I think they got a couple lucky shots. I know I hurt, but my company takes president. You buy your friends the good drinks first, right?" Anyone?

Ethron raises his hands and does a spell. "Hey, this stick is magical...just uh...not sure what it is. I haven't had enough rum yet. Doc! Pass the bottle friend!"

He hands the wand to Chaenath. "Any idea what this is?"

Alessandra shakes her head at the question. "Nah, good to go, but if you've got some way of replacing the blood those damn birds took, don't keep it to yourself, hm?"

She spends some time rooting around the cave, finding the various treasures. There's some good stuff there. "Hey! a map of the Shackles. Not bad. So where are we, d'you reckon?" Geography is not the girl's strong point, having grown up all her life in one city - that she wouldn't be able to find on the map without assistance.

Looking around, she looks questioningly at the others. "Where next? Back, or onward?"

Spellceaft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

"We're inna fúckin' cave, tha's where we are" Rogar says, stomping the ground with his boot, and not bothering to look at the map. The dwarf checks the cut he got from the grindylow's spear, and wipes it clean. "Jus' flesh wounds. I'm good t' go!", he states and tosses the rum bottle to Ethron.

Chaenath takes the piece of wood and tilts it this way and that. Ahah, it is a mirror image wand. She taps everyone with it playfully. Many of you, Many of you, Many of you, and Many of you.

She also peers at the map.

I like maps. I can read them like I can read words. May I keep it?

Who's tracking loot guys?

Also Chaenath didn't actually try to cast the spell in the wand. Is the current place a dead end or can we move forward?

Can't see the map. Can you go further down this path or was it a dead end?

I've provided no map.

Ok, so the room you are in, which is now devoid of grindylows is large, roughly 40' running north and south and 30' east and west. Sort of oblong like an egg as well.

You came in from the SW. Just before the entrance, there had been a path that went NE. Now, in the room you are in there is a corridor out to the NE and one to the NW (in addition to the SE one you entered via).

We have dead grindylows, but no dead end. They must have been protecting something. We follow these paths? Find taken friends? Chanenath asks the rest.

Down to go NE or NW

If you split up, you can cover more passages quicker!

Grymp is trying to kill us! It's a traaaaap.

I'll keep things moving here, and once we're done with this dungeon, I'll post a map for you of the whole warren, so you can see where you went. That was room D7, the stirges were in D1.

Moving slowly NE through various caverns and side tunnels, you slowly check this place room by room. Having travelled well to the east in the overall cave system, you start then heading back to the south east. You safely pass over more of the hooks and nets under water, and come into a large cavern with seaweed fronds gently swaying in the current.

Alessandra, Malevor, and Ethron all note an oddity in the ceiling of this cavern. Indeed, there is a trap in the ceiling, a large iron grate with spikes, rigged to fall from the ceiling onto unsuspecting passersby. Luckily they spotted it.

You are able to safely skirt the grate, and press on into the cave system going further south.

The tunnel you are in opens into a wider cavern decorated with hundreds of leering skeletal parts, wriggling with worms. Four dark circular openings exit the chamber.

In the water in the middle of the chamber you spot a purple, seven-armed octopoid monstrosity the size of a horse, with hook-lined tentacles and cold, blue eyes.

Chaenath, Doc, and Ethron are up.

Kn:Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

So close

I do not know what that is, but I do not like it. Swum doesn't like it either.

Chaenath hits the monster with an Evil Eye Hex targeting it's attack roll and Cackles to extend it a round.

Evil Eye for 2 rounds if makes Will Save DC 15, otherwise for 8 rounds -2 to attack rolls

Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

This room is roughly 25' long running north and south, and 15' wide east to west.

The creature is smack dab in the middle of it. you have entered from the NE corner and are thus maybe 15' from the creature.

Don't take this creature lightly.

Knowledge (arcana) : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
1 question: tell me about the defenses

"It's a devilfish! Looks like a nasty bugger!" Rogar shouts out the warning, and is already throwing a bomb it's way.

Tanglefoot bomb, PBS: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 vs. Touch AC
Damage, PBS : 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1, 6) + 3 + 1 = 11 Ref DC14 or entangled

From the description I understood the devilfish is not submerged. If it was, then I'd change the bombing into something else.

@Rogar - It has Cold Resistance 10, and a pretty nifty hiding mechanism that you'll likely see in 2 shakes of a scorpion's tale!

The water is shallow enough (low tide) that a creature of that size cannot completely submerge here.

Rogar's bomb strikes the creature squarely.

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Success

Know: Arcana: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 "Aw crap. Devilfish. This could be a problem." Always arcana. No Planes or Religion, but sure! Arcana!

Is the water low enough that the fish is in something like a tidepool? When the tide lowers, water gets stuck in small pools and catches smaller aquatic creatures. Is the devilfish stuck in a tidepool, or is the floor of the cavern flooded enough it can swim around freely?

Ethron looks over to the cackling elf again. "I like the enthusiasm but that's just creepy!"

Raising his bow, Ethron says a quick prayer, his expression changing from one of slight fear and panic to a calmer, more calculating, and somewhat crueler demeanor. His voice rings rich in the confined spaces of the cave. "Yo ho." Activate Judgement of Destruction. +2 to Damage.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage+PBS+JoD: 1d8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 2 = 11 Booya! Max damage!

@Ethron - There is sufficient water for it to move around, either via swimming, or it also has a land speed.

Ethron's arrow strikes true into the Devilfish gouging deeply into it.

Having been seriously harmed, the creature lets out a great spurt of water and jets off to the NW up another tunnel.

The party is now up, or we can go out of combat.

What's creepy?

Alessandra is furious as she watches the thing get away before she has even had time to act - furious as much with herself as with the devilfish. Stupid girl! If this were an alleyway ambush you'd be dead before you'd even marked one of them... All this time on board ship, behind wooden walls, making friends - you're going soft.

Aloud she says only "Hell. We chasing after it, or what?"

I don't know. If it would run to where grindylows keep our friends then we should follow otherwise go the other way.

Chaenath shrugs. We can hunt it maybe after we find the ones that were taken

His tone hard, Ethron looks at the fish as it leaves. "Hopefully it will think twice before attacking superior numbers, but if we let it leave, it might bring back friends." He looks in the direction the fish went, another arrow already at the nock.

I'm good either way. My Judgement will last the whole combat, regardless if we pursue or not.

Ethron looks to Chaenath. "I suppose you don't know you do it. You laugh when an enemy is nearby after glaring at them." Know: Arcana regarding Chaenath's laughing DC 12 (CR+10): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

"You're a Witch, aren't you? And the otter is your familiar, isn't it? Who's your patron?" His eyes lock with hers, an interrogator's training evident in his gaze. Then he blinks, the cold calculations giving way to curiosity.

Swum comes out of hiding from Chaenath's cloak and nuzzles her curiously as Chaneatah scratches him under his chin and considers the question. Yes? I am pretty sure I am a Witch. Not trained to it or anything. My power comes from the water she says as she lets her hand trail in the water the devilfish had fled from.

"I thought as much. Good to have your skills on our side. Doesn't hurt the otter is cute too."

His stance seems to change into a more defensive position, hunching his shoulders and dropping his center of gravity. Swift action, change to Judgement of Protection, +1 AC.

"Pursue or let it go?" His voice seems to be a touch scratchy, but nothing's changed other than his stance.

Alessandra's blood is up, and she looks at Ethron incredulously. "Pursue, of course! Don't let it heal up and come back at us."