Shackled City (Pathfinder) - GM_Chris

Game Master Chris of the Clouds

"DRAW IT OUT! RETREAT BACK AND DRAW IT OUT! DO IT!" shouts the Doctor as he moves down 20 feet, drops the remaining 10 feet, drops his blade, quick draws his bow and fires at the creature's body. Huff puff.

Acrobatics 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27
Comp. Bow 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 12 - 4 = 20 don't think it has cover since Glimmil and Finneas are both attacking from above...?
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Joins in on the fist shaking!

1d20+3 vs. Hex

1d20+7 vs. Flaming Sphere

Gah! Another 17! Grumble. Anyhoot, that 2nd save should have a -2 on it as well, not that it matters. We get lucky (Dragon crits), we get unlucky. Such is the nature of the gods of dice.

Round 1 of 7 of -2 saves.

Round 3 Init 6

Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

"Glim I have to retreat, I'll be right back. Keep it busy."

Finneas withdraws 50' back up.

Toffitt scampers down the wall to the stairway and then nimbly jumps the last 15' to land on the floor. Bow in hand, he fires a shot into the body of the hyrda. Glimmil moves up and pierces the side of the hyrda with his lance, but Atol and Dyrant are unable to pile on the damage. Atol follows up with a small popping sound that almost sounds like a fizzled spell.

Finneas listens to his friends even as they descend deeper into the pit. The long necks of the hydra allow it to take a bite at Finneas, but it misses. With its first snack gone it turns to the shiny morsel sticking it in the side. One head after another tries to crunch through the gnome's armor without success. Frustrated, the Hyrda steps 5' back into the cave as its wounds quickly heal.

1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 - 2 = 10 - AoO for leaving the second square away from the hyrda.
#1 - 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 2 = 19
#2 - 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 2 = 20
#3 - 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 2 = 15
#4 - 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 2 = 16
#5 - 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 2 = 18
#6 - 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 2 = 17
#7 growing back round 2

Round 3 Roundup
Toffitt = 18 - Hits for 7
Glimmil = 12 - move and hit for 12
Atol = 12 - SW miss. Sound burst for 1
Dyrant = 7 - Hex. Miss with sphere
Finneas = 6 - Withdraws to edge of pit
Hyrda (Hexed, Round 1)= 5

Party up for Round 4
Toffitt = 18 -
Glimmil = 12 -
Atol = 12 -
Dyrant = 7 -
Finneas = 6 -
Hyrda (Hexed, Round 2)= 5
New map

Round 4, Initiative 12, Location L15

Atol watches Finneas run past him as he holds out a hand ready to cure...

"Finneas, wait!"

Unsure what to do, Atol watches as his Spritual Cudgel takes another swing at the Hydra.
Spiritual Cudgel 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 points of damage.

Atol shrugs and channels energy for 3d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 3) = 14 worth of healing to heal Finneas from afar. He excludes the Hydra in his healing.

Sorry guys, got a little crazy trying to get out of breath weapon range.

Round 4, Init 18 {>N48}

"Give it some room. I'm going to lure it out."

Toffitt moves into the room and then pretends to trip, falling prone on the ground. He readies an action to defend himself (full defense) if the hydra should come to attack him.

Bluff 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Round 4, Init 7

Dyrant 5' flaps lower to keep his sight on the beast and again commands the fiery ball of anger to attack the beast.

3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 5) = 9 fire damage, vs. DC 17

Dyrant gives the beast another glare while holding forth the symbol of his god, challenging the beast to accept its fate.

(7 rounds/1round on Will save DC 17) Inflict penalties (-2 to AC, attacks, saves, or skills). Choosing -2 on all its attacks.

BTW, don't think it had -2 to hit in Round 3. Just Round 2.

Round 4 Init 6

"Thanks Atol!"

Finneas moves back down 25' and casts a healing spell on himself.

CMW: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (3, 7) + 4 = 14

3d6 fire damage, vs. DC 17

1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 - 2 = 20 - As if there was a doubt.

Dyrant gives the beast another glare while holding forth the symbol of his god, challenging the beast to accept its fate. (7 rounds/1round on Will save DC 17) Inflict penalties (-2 to AC, attacks, saves, or skills). Choosing -2 on all its attacks.

I see now the previous hex was for saves. I'm assuming you can double hex.

1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 - 2 = 4

Hydra now hexed for saves and attacks.

You can hex separately for any of the following: saves, attack, skills, AC. But the same hex on any one of them does not stack—just extends duration.

Glimmil frets when he sees Toffitt suddenly trip and fall prone on the ground, also fooled by the doctor's ruse.

Oh no, the doctor just tripped and fell when he was going to attempt to lure it back out! This isn't good!

Glimmil to the rescue, go forth Cog!

Glimmil urges Cog to leap into the pit to Toffitt's rescrue.

5ft step to R,43 - not sure if a jump down is required for Cog to land 5ft?

Cog Acrobatics to jump 5ft down*: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

* Also not sure what a mount's armor check penalty might be for this... researching.

One they've landed, Glimmil stabs at the angry monster in an attempt to distract it from Toffit.

Lance attack #1 (power attack): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 for 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Lance attack #2 (power attack): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 for 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Geez, could you at least roll a Sense Motive check for Glimmil...

Round 4 summary
Toffitt = 18 - Move to N48, drop, ready
Glimmil = 12 - Move to R43, hit twice for 20
Atol = 12 - SW hit for 4, Channel for 14
Dyrant = 7 - FS miss. Attack hex hit.
Finneas = 6 - Move 25' down. Heal for 14.
Hyrda (Hexed saves Round 2, attack round 1)= 5

Taking boys to camps. Hyrda won't be posted for an hour or so.

Glimmil pokes the hyrda twice and the hydra returns the favor with two good bites. The hyrdra follows up with a breath of cold on Glimmil and Cog and the frost on Glimmil's armor reflects spectacularly when illuminated by the light stone. The hyrda takes another 5' step back into the cave.

#1 - 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 2 = 19
#2 - 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 2 = 8
#3 - 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 2 = 26
- 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 2 = 16 - no confirm
- 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 damage
#4 - 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 2 = 26
- 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 damage
#5 - 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 2 = 15

#6 breath 3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 5) = 10 damage, DC 19 REF for half
#7 growing back

Glimmil actually ends up in R52 (the square on the floor below R43). There's no railing and an easy drop, so I'm not worried about a ride check.

Party up for Round 5
Toffitt = 18 -
Glimmil = 12 -
Atol = 12 -
Dyrant = 7 -
Finneas = 6 -
Hyrda = 5
Map to follow.

New Map

Toffitt throws Glimmil an unkind look and stands up. "Glimmil Codwaddle, you blessed fool, I was trying to draw it out. We want it to come OUT OF ITS CAVE."

Toffitt walks over to pick up his blade (oops, forgot I had dropped it), shaking his head in frustration.

Round 5, Init 7

Dyrant flies to F50 (should be at 35' up) and commands the flaming sphere to attack/burn again.

3d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 4) = 12 fire damage vs. DC17

Glimmil vs Reflex DC19: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Cog vs Reflex DC19: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Glimmil takes 10 and Cog takes 5 (from evasion).

As the monster's bites tear through Glim's shiny armor, he prays to Garl for his own safety, knowing the god will often aid Glimmil at times like these.

Swift Lay Hands: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8

Glimml's teeth chatters as he feels the heat leave his body and he strains to make out Toffitt's words over the clattter.

Draw it out? Ohhhhh, he was faking his fall! Why didn't he say so?

Glimmil cautiously moves away from the creature, approaching the western wall near Toffitt, winking at the doctor and speaking loudly.

Withdraw to L,50

"Oh no!" he exaggerates, "I'm feeling so weak, maybe I should just lay down here, too!"

Bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

He winks a second time at Toffitt, in case the doctor missed the first one.

I hope it comes out, it looked like it was fleeing us...

I think I may help it weaken you, you little... Down, kitty, down.

Round 5, Init 7

Dyrant flies to F50 (should be at 35' up) and commands the flaming sphere to attack/burn again.

3d6 fire damage vs. DC17

1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 2 = 25 -Save :)

The odds of you making four successful reflect saves v. his produce flame: ~4%. Jerk.

Round 5 Init 6

Finneas begins to cast a spell while the creature is out of reach.

"I'm going to follow the plan pretty quick here. Do we have one?"

Of course not.
Female voice: As if you have a plan that isn't 'Hit it'.
Male voice: Simple, hard to screw up. I like it.

Cast Shield of Faith

Round 5, Initiative 12, Location L15

"I think the plan is to draw it out. I don't like the idea of everyone in the small cave in reach of it's breath weapon..."

What if it doesn't come out?

Atol walks to Finneas (I think he's in reach with a little movement) and casts Bull's Strength.

"Glimmil and Dr. Toffit, if you come here, I can cast Resist Energy on everyone too."

Atol also keeps swinging away with his Spiritual Cudgel.

Spiritual Cudgel 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 points of damage.

Round 5
Toffitt = 18 - picks up blade (M51 I think)
Glimmil = 12 - Withrdraws to L50
Atol = 12 - ??? will have to revise. Misses with SW.
Dyrant = 7 - Moves. Misses with sphere.
Finneas = 6 - Shield of Faith
Hyrda = 5

Not sure how Atol is going to get to Finneas who is almost directly across from him but on the wall. The stairway above him is 25' up. The ground is 25' below.

My revision is to have Finneas go one way around the wall and Atol move the other and meet at 35-OP. If you object, just advise.

From the stump left by Finneas two heads emerge on long necks and hiss at the party, but the hyrda retreats around the first bend in the cave. It does not dead end, I just ran out of map space.

Party is up for Round 6
New Map

Round 6, Intermission

"This beast retreats from us! Either because it is scared of the combined fire and cudgel of St. Cuthbert or to lure us in more tightly. Either way, it's wounds heal."

Dyrant looks to his companions.

"Shall we wait to see if it returns? Or pursue?"

Dyrant, remaining aloft, pulls out a Pearl of Power 2 and recalls Flaming Sphere.

"We could perhaps pursue it after warding ourselves. It may be possible for me to sneak past it invisibly, and take it arrears while our steel leviathans here lead a frontal assault."

"I say we pursue, so that Finneas does not lose his added strength. Let's see. Where is that invisibility tincture..."

"Hey! If I saw that right, it's wounds were just healing up on their own! How would we beat something like that?"

It's like a multi-headed troll dragon... a muhetragon! Have we discovered some sort of new monster?

Glimmil rides Cog over to the bottom of the stairs to meet with Atol and receive Cuthbert's blessing while imbibing Toffitt's daily potion.

Move action to R,52 then drink the shield extract Toffitt's been handing out.

"We shall beat it by using our minds and outwitting it. Er. Right, Dyrant?"

Could I learn to graft a bit more of a mind into Glimmil's body? Hrm. What more intelligent creature would be compatible with gnome physiology? A burrowing mammal, perhaps? Moles? Badgers?

A mole! Yes, that should do it.

Assuming we agree to keep on its trail, Toffitt moves to join Atol, climbing on the walls if that's quicker. He takes out his potion of invisibility, holding it in one hand and his wand in the other.

"Sound like a plan? Once i become invisible, wait for my single and then come to attack."

If the party does not pursue, the hyrda will come back into view in Round 7, so you would each have a Round 6 and Round 7 action.

Round 6, Initiative 12, Location L15

Atol virtually swings his spiritual cudgel one last time...
Spiritual Cudgel 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 points of damage.

Atol casts Shield of Faith on Finneas (+3 AC (deflection) for 5 minutes), then moves toward Cog/Glimmil/Dr. Toffitt.

"Everyone come closer so I can touch you and provide some protection against the breath weapons of the beast."

Round 7, Init 7

Hit and run hydras? My brain hurts.

Dyrant will fly closer to Atol awaiting the protection he offers.

Dyrant will ready an action to fly away should the beast come charging out near Dyrant.

Round 7, Initiative 12, Location R52 -> S48

Atol will cast Resist Energy, Communal - protecting against cold - on everyone he can reach this round. If that's everyone, the duration will be ~8 minutes per person/dog.

"There, now I feel better. Now let's get in there and hurt this thing! I'll do my best to keep us all healed up... and stay out of the way!"

Round 6 so far
Toffitt = 18 - pulls out potion of invisibility and wand
Glimmil = 12 - move, shield extract
Atol = 12 - misses, Shield of Faith, move
Dyrant = 7 - Recalls flaming sphere
Finneas = 6 - TBD
Hyrda = 5 - out of sight

Round 7 so far
Atol = 12 - communal resist energy cold
Toffitt = 11 - delay for spell then TBD
Glimmil = 10 - delay for spell then TBD
Dyrant = 7 - Moves to Atol, ready to fly
Finneas = 6 - TBD
Hyrda = 5 - TBD

New map with my impression of how people are gathered for Atol's touch spell and talking. Feel free to move in Round 7 after Atol's spell.

At Atol, you still have L15 in your status which would be 20' up the stairs. You'd have to come down to everyone for the touch spell. If you're not good with my placement let me know. Plus, you still have a move action after teh spell.

New Map

Round 6

"Ok, so we're going in after it? And the Doctor will tell us when?"

Cast Divine Favor.

Round 7

"Ok, hurry up Doctor."

Finneas will ready to attack the hydra when it comes back into view.

"Should I go for the heads or the body? What works on this thing?"

I'm totally fine with my placement - thanks! I will move to S48 after I cast the spell if that's OK.

Glimmil rides about on Cog again and prepares himself to charge at the creature when it re-emerges.

P,46 and ready standard action to charge.

Dyrant nods.

Not to anyone in particular, but nods and prepares to get out of the way.

Round 7, Init 11 {>V49}

Chris, was there enough clearance above the hydra to sneak along the ceiling through it's squares?

"Glimmil, please wait until I tell you I'm in place. Once I do, strike at its body."

After Atol says his prayer over the group, Toffitt drinks his potion of invisibility and moves into the cave.

Glimmil rides about on Cog again and prepares himself to charge at the creature when it re-emerges.

P,46 and ready standard action to charge.

Having read through the discussion on this, I'm not going to allow partial charges. They are powerful and should take up a whole round. Using a partial charge should take a feat. If you are ever involuntarily limited to a standard action, then you could use the partial charge.

Round 7, Init 11 {>V49}

Chris, was there enough clearance above the hydra to sneak along the ceiling through it's squares?.

No. Cave is 30'x30'. What's your movement speed? Where will you end up? You the player can see on the map where it is. 30 feet gets you to X-51 this turn. It will emerge at the end of this turn.

And now I see Toffitt's movement in his status line.

I've moved Finneas and Glimmil slightly. I'm guessing there was some confusion about the hyrda emerging. It will only make it around the first corner this turn and not into the stairway area yet.

Party up for Round 8
Atol = 12 -
Toffitt = 11 -
Glimmil = 10 -
Dyrant = 7 -
Finneas = 6 -
Hyrda = 5 -

New Map

Round 8, Initiative 12, Location S48->Q50

Atol moves to a central spot in the room and casts Prayer (+1 to hit/damage/saves/skills for us, -1 for it and it stacks with the ongoing Bless).

"OK everyone, by the power of St. Cuthbert go get it!!"

Atol feels a rush of adrenaline as he sees the creature moving down the tunnel toward him. He fidgets with his cudgel - lightly tapping his hand.

I wish I could rush in there and attack with my friends. Ah well, my place is elsewhere.

Hm. I'm a bit confused about the physics of invisibility, wall crawling and tumbling when it comes to huge creatures. I realize in RAW, it's not ordinarily possible to move through squares without tumbling. I wonder if you'd allow some ad hoc circumstance bonus for tumbling through while invisible and crawling above the creature...?