Second chance - Way of the Wicked (Inactive)

Game Master Big OM

You were standing in a hallway if you recall and you stepping back has left you with one square behind you and the wall.

I am currently at work and can't advance you atm.

I need someone to control Nadine until she is able to post again, volunteers?

The snakes are quite agile despite their metal bodies and only Stanislav manages to hit one of them. His strike lands just behind the hood of one of the snakes and almost severs the head from the body. No blood spills and no flesh is revealed, they must be constructs of some kind.

Round 2
The damaged snake dart forth towards Stanislav (Provoking AoO). Once again it manages to find a weakness in his defence and continues to hound his leg. Resistant to the poison Stanislav is unaffected. Angered by the attack the other turns around and lashes out after Thomas, missing the rogue as he sidesteps the attack.

Biting Stanislav: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Saving against poison: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Biting Thomas: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

This time Stanislav is in process of changing to sword and shield and cannot take the aoo. If only he were a pole arm master. :0

His armor class bolstered with the shield Stanislav pulls his masterwork longsword and strikes at the snake he hit last round.

[dic=Longsword1d20+7;1d8+6[/dice]

This Round Nadine moves to Vank. Grasping his arm momentarily she whispers to him Kill one for my Robbie. Casts Guidance on Vank. +1 to his next attack.

Stepping around to flanking position, Thomas stabbed with one of his blades.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Vank moves to a flank (there must a flank somewhere close to him) and swings.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 26 guidence and flank
Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3) + 6 + 1 = 14 Flank (murderer trait)

Stanislav's Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Stanislav are to slow to catch the agile construction and it weaves away from his blade as it comes down. Thomas doesn't fair any better but Vank sees and opening as the creature avoids Thomas and manages to severely damage the snake's lower body.

Round 3
Angered by Stanislav's blade the metal snakes goes for a hand this time but fail to reach high enough catching only air. Hissing a warning the other snake turns to Vank and attempts to hurt the hobgoblin, but it's fangs strike only armour.

Attacking Stanislav: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Attacking Vank: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

This time Stanislav is in process of changing to sword and shield and cannot take the aoo. If only he were a pole arm master. :0

His armor class bolstered with the shield Stanislav pulls his masterwork longsword and strikes at the snake he hit last round.

[dic=Longsword1d20+7;1d8+6

I have no idea what happened to this post. It was complete when I submitted it, but somehow it did not stay complete. Sorry.

Stanislav swings again, trying to hit the elusive target.

Longsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 231d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Meanwhile Nadine casts guidance on Vank a second time. You hurt Vank. Hurt it again.

While remaining in his position, Thomas brought both swords to bare.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 2 = 22

Damage 1: 1d6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + (6) + 1 = 8 Sneak + Murder Trait

Attack 2: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 = 13

Vank give another swing surprised it survived the first one.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 16 guidence and flank
Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 6 + 1 = 10 Flank (murderer trait)

Years of practise shines through as Stanislav once again cuts the snake. Finding the same wound as before, he finishes what he started and severs the snakes head from the body. Both fall the floor with klonk as metal meets stone. With the other snake's attention is turned to Vank, Thomas sees the opening he needs and while Vank only strikes stone, he cuts a small but well placed hole in the metal scales behind the head.

Round 4
The snake is however still fight which Thomas learn the hard way as a set of fangs pierce his dagger hand before he can retract it. While the fangs rip open arteries and blood gushes forth some poison manages to flow into his veins and he become a little uneasy on his legs as his coordination worsens.

Attacking Thomas: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Confirming: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4) + 2 = 12
Saving against poison: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4
Dex damage: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Ouch. Now why couldn't I roll like that?

"You next." Vank says swinging at the snake.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 2 = 27 flank
Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 3) + 6 + 1 = 12 Flank (murderer trait)

Possible crit. if possible: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 2 = 14
Extra Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2, 6) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 17 +2 damage on crit (killer trait)

Pressing the attack Stansilav closes (if the snake is still fighting).

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 151d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Nadine continues to boost Vank's attacks.

Guidance on Vank for next round if it's still alive..

As Thomas struggles to focus, he stabs both blades forward in an attempt to end this.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Attack 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Damage 2: 1d6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + (6) + 1 = 13 (Sneak + Murder Trait)

Possible Attack 2 Crit: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

If that's successful, Extra Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 (Murder Trait)

Aid Another for Vank to hit.

1d20 - 2 ⇒ (11) - 2 = 9 to hit, flanking

I am writing from my tablet and thus limited.

And the snake was next as Vank ends what life such a construct might have had. Stepping into and inspecting the room you find a bare stone room, like you have seen them before in this basement. To the south is a heavy barred door. No lock just a heavy bar that can be moved with a feat of strength. Returning to the constructs you find these quite heavy roughly 10 lbs. each firged from mitral.

320 xp each

"Well, we no doubt have the might the Cardinal wanted. Good work, gentlemen. I should say, though, I hope never to see creatures like that again." She looks at the bite Thomas received.

"Let me see that, dear boy." She grabs his hand harshly and pulls it over up to her face. She sniffs the wound and wrinkles her nose. "Poison. A delightful thing when it's working for you, but quite a nuisance when it's not. Hold still."

Nadine searches her pack for the healer's kit and finds some salves and a syringe. She fills the syringe with some of the salve. She grabs Thomas' hand again and squeezes the wound hard. Then she jabs the needle of the syringe into his hand and injects the salve, trying to actually force the poison out of his hand.

Heal, healer's kit: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 2 = 21

No TLC here.

It was all Thomas could do to stay on his feet while Nadine administered her treatment. Gritting his teeth, the Rogue did not cry out in pain.

With this group, I wouldn't expect it. Though, I'm less concerned about the poison than I am about the HP damage. I'm sitting at one point, I can't take much more.

Seeing the pallor on Thomas' face, Nadine suddenly notices the man is bleeding as well. Quickly, she pulls the grisly doll from her belt and squeezes it into his wounds. The drops of blood pulse with power and slowly Thomas' wounds close. He can feel the blood working its way through his body like a snake.

Cast Infernal Healing. 1 minute = 10HP. Sorry, I didn't register the hp damage.

Starting to feel better, Thomas looks at Nadine, "Thank you my Lady, I feel better now."

@ GM - Going to put the 10 HP on my status. If it's been less than a minute by the next fight, let me know and I'll adjust it.

Restoring his shield to his back, Stanislav retrieves his pole arm while Thomas heals. He then stores one of the constructs in his pack and asks Vank to carry the other. Mithril has to be worth something he says, explaining his reasoning. After a few rounds he says Thomas, you should be well enough to check that door to the south.

Giving a slight nod, he weakly got to his feet and examined the door for traps.

Perception vs traps: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Geez, if there's a trap with that roll, we're in trouble.

Stanislav has a thought. He retrieves the mechanical snake and offers it to Thomas. Check both to see if they contain any poison that you can use.

After Thomas ok's the door Stanislav waves him back. Vank, beside me. We know that there are unread up here somewhere. Lets do this. Stanislav unbars and opens the door.

Vank shrugs and readies himself. Knowing he was right about the boy is nice but going back to torture him would take time and boredom. "How many rooms did the cardinal say were down here? Hey Thomas those snakes don't have the thing inside them do they?"

Turning from the door, Thomas replied, "I don't use poison Stanislav. While it has its uses, I prefer an honest fight." At Vank's suggestion he carefully looked at the metal snakes.

Perception to find the Cardinal's prize: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Stanislav nods his understanding, but his facial expression shows that he does not really. Suit yourself Thomas. Not all fights are honest. Seems crazy to discard any advantage when death is on the line.

Thomas smiled, "Well, skill against skill is an honest fight. If I'm more skilled to get behind someone and put a blade in their kidney, then I can say it's an honest fight."

"The kid probably knows where the trinket is. He down here for a reason and hasn't been too helpful so far." Vanks says waiting for the door to open enough to see what is behind it. "Did anyone see any writting around this door?" he adds

After some heavy lifting the door is easily opened and another hallway leads directly south ending 30 ft later with another door this not blocked by a heavy wooden beam but burned into the wood are: "Suffer not the fool. Stupidity is our faith's cardinal sin."

Pausing before going forward Stanislav glares at Vank for a brief moment. I understand your opinion Vank. The boy is not beyond our reach. I tell you now to drop the subject and focus on the challenges before us. Am I clear?

As Stanislav advances he is mindful that any square could be trapped or hide some secret panel. Reading the new words Stanislav nods to himself. Suffer not the fool. He says out loud. After Robert checks the door for traps he verifies the group is ready and opens the door.

"Really? 'Stupidity is our faith's cardinal sin'? The Cardinal either has deep insight or that's just insulting." Nadine makes a clicking sound in annoyance. "But if we need to not be the fool, so be it."

Thomas weakly made his way with the rest of the group. Then seeing the burned message, the Rogue carefully looks around.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

"I'm not finding anything indicating a trap, but we should still be careful."

Vank grins at Stanislav "Yes captain."

He moves forwards indicating for everyone to stay back. Once Thomas has time to get back he opens the door.

While the door leading to this hallway took some strength to open this one slides effortlessly open. A single oil lantern reveals a podium directly below it in the centre of the room. Shining back at you is a dragon pendant properly of silver with blue sapphire eyes. In the eastern wall a staircase leads up and out of the room.

"Obvious trap is obvious. Where's the minion to trigger it?"

Nadine murmurs words of power and her eyes flash blue. "Indeed, this seems too easy. We shall see if there are any magical auras here."

Detect Magic

I agree. Stanislav breaths looking past Vank's shoulder. It would be stupidity to believe Cardinal Thorn would make this test so simple. Looking again to Thomas he nods to the rogue. Be extremely cautious, but search the podium.

Different hues flashes before Nadine's eyes as her magic searches the room but once her vision returns to normal nothing seems out of the ordinary.

Vank mumbles in goblin casting guidance on Thomas then follows him in sword at the ready. "It's probably a test to see if we grab what we need quickly
"

"No magic. Surprising." She shrugs. "I agree, there seems as if there should be some catch."

If and what you want a closer look at and I'll give you a DC.

No magic? There has to be something else. Thomas thought as he knelt down and started looking for traps.

Perception vs Traps: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Take your time Thomas. We are not yet pressed for time. Take 20.

I am not particularly keen on taking 20 for traps as a failure might result in triggering the trap. Taking 20 on other perception related checks are a different story in my book. No taking 20 on disables either. Taking 10 are okay on both though if story permits.

Starting by the door and moving towards the podium Thomas carefully observes every tile on the stone floor, nothing seems out of the ordinary and he carefully put his foot down one time after another reaching the centre of the room unharmed. Spending some time he meretriciously search every inch of the stone elevation, finding on indication that it could harm him or his companions. Satisfied he begins circling the room making sure the rest of the floor is safe. He kneels down by the first few steps of the stairs finding them solid and safe.

Actually, according to this, I can take 20 on looking for traps, just not disabling them.

I have read it before and the clause that I base my thought above is the part about failure carrying no penalty. Search for traps might carry such a penalty a because you might trigger depending on how and where you search. Those are just my thought. Let me hear what you think, but lets take it to the ooc thread.