Sheik Voodoo's Katapesh Nights (Inactive)

Game Master voodoo chili

Karethas turns to the others urgently, "Faelar, heal everyone up while we are talking. Spend the rest of the wand if necessary. Our element of surprise is spent. The way I see it we have two choices, fall back to a defensive position and wait for their prepared assault. Or we move forward as quickly as possible to disrupt their preparations. I suggest the latter. " He pulls a potion of Cure Moderate Wounds to Amir, "For later." He then pulls out his Pearl of Power to recall Obscuring Mist. He casts Detect Magic and directs Amir and Kzrira to take anything magical off the bodies surrounding the group while pulling out the wand of Bull Strength in preparation.

Quickly scavenging through the gear you find that one of the priests has a healing wand and both are armed with well made though disturbingly decorated great axes though mundane. The two fallen warriors have magical black leather armor studded with greening bronze spiders. They are armed with longbows that are impossible for you to draw and well crafted hooked blades. They also each have two vials in their pouches- one is revealed to be cure light wounds and the other is not magical, but marked with the sign of Rovagug.
(2 +1 stud leather armor, 2 pot clw, 1 wand clw (15), 2 mw battle axe, longbows (Str 18), and khopeshes)

Karethas also finds that the satchel recovered from the harem detects as magical. Upon closer inspection it is found to be more spacious within than one would expect. (handy haversack)

You barely finish your chore when the loud approach of something large and angry is heard from the direction of the retreating gnolls. Possibly several somethings by the growls and grunting heard.

Amir takes the potion and stows it and then proceeds to stuff all the things of value into the satchel then slings it on his back, holding back the wand and handiingg it over to Faelar. We will deal with the rest later, for now it sounds like we have company.

Amir looks to the others to get a sense of what they want to do. Retreat or do we think we can make a stand here?

How much time do we have to heal? How many rounds?

Back to the door. If we have to fight, lets make sure we have a defensible position.

I am down 19 HP if Faeler is going to use the wand.

How much time do we have to heal? How many rounds?

say 2 rounds and due the short interval, the grease is still up. If you want to give me a location using the old map here. The doors are at B2,3.

Actually, you've had a few minutes so just heal up all you'd like and tell me where you want to be placed. If you've got buffs, go ahead with that also.

"Amir, could you use pitons or something to secure the door I shut in the harlot's room and the side doors in this room? That way the stairway is still a viable escape route if necessary."
He looks around and assesses the situation, "I will cast Obscuring Mist centered there," pointing to K2, to confuse them and make them hit Faelar's Grease. Once it sounds like there are a lot in the mist, I will dismiss it and cast Glitterdust. That should leave them in the open and blind for Kzrira and Amir to hurt. If they come out this first door to our right, I will cast Create Pit in the doorway, which should keep them back."
"Faelar, another Grease there," He points to F3/4 and G3/4, "could be helpful. Sound Burst any caster that you see, especially arcane ones."
" Sound like a good plan?"

Karethas waits until the sound is close and casts the Obscuring Mist as he described. Then he returns to the group and casts Bull Strength on Amir, Kzrira, and Faelar.

Kzrira nods:
Let me an Amir move up next to the grease. We can use the grease to funnel them to use, and this will give me room to back up and fire several times. Amir can do the same thing retreating at the same time.

Your call. We can either hold positions at the back and then I can fire, or we can move up some and fire while retreating.

Ah s$%~ eaten post. Should I hide and try to flank? Surprise a caster, etc? Will more summoned monster come into play? I need gang up, heh.

Sorry for lack of posting, I had a very long shift at work.

I take the wand and begin to release it's energy to heal everybody's wounds.

Cure Light Wounds (Via Wand) : 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Kzrira
Cure Light Wounds (Via Wand) : 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Kzrira
Cure Light Wounds (Via Wand) : 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Kzrira
Cure Light Wounds (Via Wand) : 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Kzrira
Cure Light Wounds (Via Wand) : 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Karethas

How much damage have you taken Amir?

Me? I was hit with a bottle...so 3. Otherwise I have escaped relatively unscathed for the last while. Its our archer, she is way scarier than me. Tends to draw the violence ;p

"I could cast Vanish on you at the last moment, but if I blind a few then you can catch them off guard. Moving forward may not be wise until I cast Glitterdust in any case."

I am down 5hp. Amir, the Glitterdust was largely to give you easily backstabable targets as well as slowing them down.

Faelar is able to heal everyone while they finish looting. Karethas comes up with a quick plan of action just before the feral sounds near the corner. wish warp: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 The conjurer fills the hallway with a bank of fog and Kzrira and Amir wait stealthily as a pair of large shapes approach. The slouching shadows loom over the humans and then one slips with a snarl.

Karethas
Amir
Kzrira
??
Faelar

Karethas whispers, "Make them send more into the fog. Kill these ones quickly. He then starts a summoning spell.

Summon Monster III
Caster Check 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
sigh

People just like shooting me.

Faelar, use one less charge from the wand. That will leave me only down 2 hp. I may regret not having the last 2 hp, but we do not know how long we will be here and might need that last charge much more later on.

___________________

Seeing the shadows and assuming that nothing good is going to be coming from where the gnolls just fled, Kzrira releases two arrows at the shadow that is still standing and snarling.

Attack-rapid-shot: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 11 - 2 = 27 <-- add +2 if gnolls
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 <-- add +2 if gnolls
Miss %: 1d100 ⇒ 79 <-- low is miss, not sure if there is concealment or what the % is

Attack-rapid-shot: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 11 - 2 = 27 <-- add +2 if gnolls
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 <-- add +2 if gnolls
Miss %: 1d100 ⇒ 13 <-- low is miss, not sure if there is concealment or what the % is

Seeing and hearing the battle begin I begin to proceed as planned and start reciting some familiar incantions.

Cast Grease on the area that Karethas told me to earlier.
Caster Level Check : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Karethas begins another sadly doomed conjuration... and Kzrira fires into the misty shadow. Her first shot hits something eliciting a growl of pain, but her second shot is lost in the fog.

Amir up. currently foe are at >5' so 50% miss chance.

Amir is going to wait. Unless something indicates that I am not still hidden...

Amir waits outside the fog as he hears the creature closest to him stand. Then a great hairy claw whizzes past his head from the fog. Two more claws blindly grab at Kzrira and one manages to tear open her shoulder. They are followed by a horrible maw of a giant hyena with odd patches of black insectile plates and jointed protrusions about its face. It thankfully misses, but Kzrira notes that the black and terrible eyes are filled with dim intelligence and utter hatred.
Kzrira-12 slash

A moment later, Falear's spell goes off and a loud thud is heard as the creature closest Kzrira falls. Then there is a loud lowing from some invisible beast that rushes from Karethas down the passage. The unseen beast passes between Amir and Kzrira and disappears into the fog though loud lowing and maddened cackles are heard within.

Round 2
Karethas
Amir
Kzrira
guerillas in the mist
Faelar

Karethas shocked gasp can be heard as the invisible creature plows through the groups. "Oops?" He says uncertainly.

I put the fog far enough from the group that the enemy would have to reveal itself to melee us. Hold action until more creatures seem to be in the fog.

You assume that they can't reach out of the fog...if they are big enough (evidence suggests this might be the case) then they might *not* need to exit the fog.. And they can sense me when hidden. That is not good.

Amir moves to where Kzrira is standing, You need to withdraw, I need you alive to shoot the damn things! Amir then attempts to strike out at the creature that has fallen nearby.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22 Not sure what I am threatened by to get to the archer to block for her so...
Attack the darkness, I mean FOGness: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5
SA if applicable: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6

Karethas-no reason to put up a map yet as the fog is covering most of the encounter. It is placed where requested which leaves about 20 feet of hall from the door unobscured. As Amir points out- reach and scent means the fog isn't really helping you much other than concealment which cuts both ways.
Also, Amir will have to step into the fog to attack with a 20% miss chance from concealment.

Seeing her shirt once more covered in her blood, Kzrira grimmaces. Nonetheless knowing that the party must defeat these monstrosities or the and their masters will eventually once more attack Kelmarane.

Kzrira steps back and fires two more arrows at the beasts.

Karethas, can you make this fog go away? I cannot shoot through it and it does not seem to slow their attacks.

After stepping back, Kzrira launches two more arrows at the beast.

Attack-rapid shot: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 11 - 2 = 12 <-- no Inspire Courage or FE
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Miss %: 1d100 ⇒ 90 <-- <50=miss

Attack-rapid shot: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 - 2 = 20 <-- no Inspire Courage or FE
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Miss %: 1d100 ⇒ 70

Neither shot is perfect, but one does appear to strike home (I hope).

miss on 20 or lower: 1d100 ⇒ 65

Uncertain of the outcome of his spell, Karethas pauses to see what comes to pass. Some fifteen feet down the passage, Amir steps into the mist in front of Kzrira and stabs the fallen shape in front of him though he is unable to pinpoint a spot on the blur to make a really telling strike. The murky shape towers as it regains its feet.

Kzrira steps back and fires at the other beast that steps from the fog behind Amir. Her first shot hits though her second fails as the full horror of the thing is revealed. At first it appears to be some awful mix of giant hyena and insect covered in scars, but after a moment, Kzrira realizes that this is some horribly transformed gnoll- a warped giant twisted perhaps by a dark wish or god so that even the limited intellect and cunning of the gnoll it once was has become only brutality and madness.

Somewhere in the mist beyond, the lowing of whatever it was that Karethas summoned turns to bellows of pain and rage and then it retreats farther away with the clatter of hooves.

OK, at their turn. I'll pause so Amir can take an AoO against one of the gnolls @ 20% miss and if Karethas wants to take an action now.

I put the fog far enough from the group that the enemy would have to reveal itself to melee us. Hold action until more creatures seem to be in the fog.

I think the problem is that the party is speaking past each other. Karethas was saying that the whole party should stay back by the door, but Kzrira and Amir said that they wanted to be at the edge of the fog so they had room to retreat. Currently, I have Falear and Karethas by the door then 15' from them, Kzrira and Amir are at the edge of the fog which extends 5 feet from the grease.

like this.

"That one is out of the fog, so hit it! The fog keeps others from supporting it. Faelar, give Amir someone to flank with." Karethas backs into the other room and casts Haste.

Just a miscommunication in the party then. No problem! Caster Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
I think you all know what Haste does :-)

Amir, back up. Make them come to us and avoid being flanked.

AoO!: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 1 = 24
Damage!: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4
Miss on <20: 1d100 ⇒ 95

Amir this one is out of the fog. Amir back up. Amir this one is moving past you, hit it. Amir take my instructions while the giant gnoll monster tries to mangle you...

Grumpy old man.

Of course. Its part of my charm.

Everything suddenly seems to be moving more slowly in relation to the adventurers as Karethas' hastening spell takes hold. Kzrira ducks the sweep of a massive claw from the monster that has emerged from the mist, but not before Amir cuts the passing gnoll. Within, the favor is returned by its companion and long black claws rake the mithril shirt.
Amir-9 slash

Round 2
Faelar
R3
Amir
Kzrira
Karethas
big gnolls

Faelar - we could use a little Inspire Courage about now.

Sorry just finished an 18 hour shift, so heading to bed now.

Seeing things slow down for a moment I begin to relax a little, until I hear the sound of claws against chain, at which point I begin to sing a deep and embracing battle chant. I then head over to beside Amir, "Make your minds up already!"

Inspire Courage (+2) : 9 / 16

Round 3 :

I stop singing, but with everything moving slower it takes longer for the sounds in the air to disperse and the song continues to be sung as if by some ghost or apparition.

Lingering Performance : 1 / 2

I then move up to Amir and place my hand on his back, releasing some energy to hopefully close the wounds he has suffered.

Cure Light Wounds : 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Not sure of the exact positioning of the gnolls.

Seeing that these monstrosities are in fact nothing more that demonically corrupted gnolls, Kzrira steps back and once more unleashes two arrows at the most injured one.

5-foot step back

Attack-rapid shot: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 = 28 <-- +2 FE, +2 Inspire Courage
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 17

Attack-rapid shot: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 = 19 <-- +2 FE, +2 Inspire Courage
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 15

Both shots (hopefully) sink into the gangly creatures drawing whatever colored blood they have.

Currently, I have Falear and Karethas by the door then 15' from them, Kzrira and Amir are at the edge of the fog which extends 5 feet from the grease.

map

map is the same except Karethas has left the hall. The forward gnoll has reach and would still threatens Kzrira with a 5 ft step.

Then I will 5' step back to D1 and fire, hopefully it will not make its AoO.

Amir continues to work on the gnoll right before him threatening the archer.

Sholeh: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 25
Simin: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 17
Damage Sholeh: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 + 2 = 8
Damage Simin?: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 + 2 = 10

One more attack each from Amir and Kzrira- Haste
You do as I say! I am the tactical expert as a wizard...hmmm.
Karethas throws a glob of acid at the injured creature, trying to hit the broadside of a barn-sized gnoll insectoid. He fails miserably with a quiet sob at the recognition of his own inadequacies.

ACID DART (3 of 7/day) 30ft Ranged Touch Attack:1d20 + 4 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 - 4 = 5(Song and into melee) Damage:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Acid Damage.

Simin Haste: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 1 + 2 - 2 + 1 = 13
D'oh!

My first two attacks should be 1 higher due to the haste bonus I did not account for...

Attack-Rapid Shot-haste: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 29 <-- not quite sure whether the haste takes the -2 from the rapid shot
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 10

Don't forget we are also +1 AC and +1 attack due to the haste, my prior two attacks should also be +1.

Amazed at her speed, Kzrira strikes the large cur with a third sharp arrow.

The hasted attack would take the rapid shot deduction, it stipulates that you would suffer from all appropriate penalties by circumstance. So we both deduct our multiple attack related penalties from the additional attack.

Thanks, I included it figuring that I would take it.

Faelar begins a battle song emboldening Amir yet only seen as the smaller quicker shape in the fog. (20% miss: 1d100 ⇒ 331d100 ⇒ 75) Amir feels more than sees his twin blades cut twice. Kzrira moves with blinding speed dodging a heavy claw as she releases three arrows into the beast to see it fall in slow motion. Karethas tries to help, but is too late and nowhere near hitting the now dead warped gnoll.

There is little time for relief however as another of the creatures moves to take its place. Though powerful, the creatures are thankfully not graceful and it slips in the grease that still coats the floor. A fourth creature appears behind it unfortunately and stepping on its companion to avoid the slick spot, reaches Kzrira though the fast moving archer again dodges rending claws.

Amir is not so lucky, now flanked by a pair of the creatures and with a third lying on the floor next to him, he is dangerously close to be cut off from the others. The fog seems to distract and confound the crazed monsters however and the gnoll standing right in front of him swings everywhere, but at the rogue. Faelar lets his song resonate as he waits for an opening to reach Amir.
wow, my dice are as cold as I am...
oh, AoO for Amir against passing gnoll

R4
Amir
Kzrira
Karethas
big gnolls

Concerned about Amir, but unable to help the wily rogue, Kzrira once more steps back once more and fires three arrows at the new gnoll flanking Amir.

5' step to C1 - hopefully this takes me out of AoO range, but I am not sure. It should be 15' from the gnoll if it is in the same position as the last one on the map.

Attack-rapid shot: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 24 <-- -2 rapid shot, +2 bard, +2 FE, +1 haste
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 12

Attack-rapid shot: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 27 <-- -2 rapid shot, +2 bard, +2 FE, +1 haste
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 10

Attack-rapid shot-haste: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 21 <-- -2 rapid shot, +2 bard, +2 FE, +1 haste
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 13

Keep up the good work old man. I am trying to stop these damn curs from getting behind you.

AoO: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 30
damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 + 2 = 7
Miss? Less than 20: 1d100 ⇒ 79

Sensing the impending decline of his safety Amir focuses on trying to carve his way out o the problem. C'mon girl. A few more of those arrows to carve me a route back to you...

Sholeh: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 24
damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 + 2 = 6
Miss? Less than 20: 1d100 ⇒ 9

Simin: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 28
damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 + 2 = 10
Miss? Less than 20: 1d100 ⇒ 49

Sholeh (Haste): 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 1 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 + 2 = 8
Miss? Less than 20: 1d100 ⇒ 60

His old limbs reinvigorated by adrenaline, Amir whirls into a blur of keen blades slashing the gnoll beast that passes through the fog and blocks his retreat. Following it out of the fog, Amir continues slashing leaving it bloodied, but still standing. A trio of arrows from Kzrira take care of that though. With the way finally clear, Faelar rushes forward to heal his ally. Amir +9 heal, please include current AC and hp in your post to help me keep up with where you are.

Karethas up.

map
correction: Faelar @ E2

I'm on my phone right now but when I'm back at a terminal I will refoemat my profile like the others to reflect my data

Karethas sighs in relief as the way clears to Amir. He throws another glob of acid, holding his remaining spells in reserve.

ACID DART (4 of 7/day) 30ft Ranged Touch Attack:1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 + 1 - 4 = 7 (song, haste, into melee) Damage:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 Acid Damage.

Is everyone including their +4 to str to the appropriate rolls? I cast Bull Strength on you earlier.

Karethas' acid blob flies off somewhere in the fog and the shapes within move closer. The fallen beast scrambles back to its feet while the other follows Amir with claw and malformed mandible-jaws, clawing and biting the rogue swordsman. Amir-12 claw, 6 bite

R5
Amir
Kzrira
Faelar
Karethas
big gnolls

actually my preference is that you post your stats each combat round with your actions. Although Kzrira does a fine job of updating her profile, I find that others aren't always up to date and since they change, it makes it hard to check back. Whereas a line in a post is an actual record. Some spoiler it, I just do thusly:
Round 2
AC:25/23, hp:85/100, airwalk, bless, inspired
just reply to your previous post and you don't even have to rewrite it.

I had no idea that Bull's Strength was cast. Did you cast it on both me an Amir?

I will try to get more info on my posts. I try to keep it in the status line. However, as I think you indicated, the status line is always updating while the posts themselves are constant. So, for stuff that people might want to look up in the future, putting it into the actual post is most helpful.
___________

AC22, HP: 36/50, Bull's Strength, Inspire Courage, Haste

Seeing another of these huge creatures fall, Kzrira calls to her companion to keep up the defensive stand.
Great work old man, watch out for those claws next time.

She then lets loose three more arrows at the gnollish monstrosities.
--Attacking the injured one near Amir. If it goes down, then the other one.

Attack-rapid shot: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 23 <-- -2 rapid shot, +2 inspire, +2 FE, +1 haste
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 16 <-- extra +2 from Bull's Strength w/comp bow
Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 93 <-- <21 miss

Attack-rapid shot: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 12
Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 89 <-- <21 miss

Attack-rapid shot: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 11 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 30
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 14
Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 78 <-- <21 miss

While not her best shots, all 3 (hopefully) strike home.
Why does it seem like forever since I managed to get a crit, let alone confirm it.