Skull & shackles (Inactive)

Game Master DBH

Detect Magic plus Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

"It's actually a Dagger sized for a giant. It has a decent enchantment on it, but it doesn't have any special abilities like flaming or frost."

Where are you going now?

Linguistics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22

As Maddie begins looking over the tablets, she says "I think I can decipher these, but it looks like it's going to take the better part of a day."

"We'll take them back to the Drake later then," Marnir says, having made no headway into deciphering the tablets and glad that Maddie had some idea of their content. He stands and looks northwards. "That way then?" Marnir suggests, pointing at the door with his axe.

The door north out of G7 please.

Niobe nods. "Kinda curious to know what happened here."

Jane smiles. "I think we all are."

As you move out of the rotunda you can see around you the decayed structures of what was once a great city. In it's height it must have been glorious, but it's best must have passed centuries ago, leaving the Cyclopes clinging to their lost splendor in degenerate style.

A wide flight of stone stairs leads to a terrace, which offers a commanding view of the ruined streets and buildings below.
Several statues gaze outward from its wall. To the northeast and south east, a giant cavern opens into the mountainside where two tunnels lie choked with rubble.

As you reach the top of the 25' stairway to the this terrace what you had thought were statues suddenly take wing and attack!

Red: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28 damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 2 + (1, 6) = 17
Purple: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28 damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (1, 5) = 10

Red & Purple shoot Marnir with their longbows and then climb 10' into the air.

Green: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23 damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 2 + (5, 2) = 14

Green shoots Maddie before taking to the air.

Yellow: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26 damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + 2 + (3, 4) = 16

Yellow hits Kung before going to the sky.

Blue: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24 damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + 2 + (5, 6) = 20

Blue puts a nasty shot into Niobe then climbs into the air.

Orange: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20 damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (1, 3) = 10

Orange clips Jane then rises 10' into the air.

The party may now act.

Sorry folks, these guys have +18 to stealth, and can take 20 on it when staying still. So they are all hovering 10' up and aiming bows at you. New map for this fight up top as I got really sick of the tiny squares.

Marnir is marvelling at the grand architecture and the incredibly detailed statues when the statues take to the sky. The arrows score deep wounds across his chest and shoulders and he roars in pain and frustration. "Fly away little statues," he shouts, infusing his words with magic, "before we smash you from the sky!" He raises his axe to the sky and calls "Drakes, attack!"

Inspired rage starts without an action, Swift Action to use Battle Cry, Standard Action to cast blistering invective which I suspect will affect all except orange (as it's 30ft away but 10ft up).
Intimidate: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35 If that demoralises any of them, they take 1d10 ⇒ 3 fire damage and must make a DC 16 Reflex save or catch on fire.

Kung was marveling at the impressive architecture, almost not believing that this level of culture must have once existed in this spot. As he's studying one of the statues, it rises, shooting him while it flutters just out of reach! Enraged, his pegleg begins tapping out another intricate rhythm as he searches for something that he can do. Within his rage, he focuses the concentration he has on making a clear hit as he takes aim with one of his javelins.

Jane moves up beside Kung and spits webbing out of her mouth at the foe who hit her.

Reflex 15 or be webbed. web bolt

"Wow, this place is kinda....oww, you jerk!" says Maddie as she is hit by an arrow.

"Fine then, that's how you want to do it?"

Maddie will cast Admonishing Ray at Blue.

Attack Rolls: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 151d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 151d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Damage Rolls: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 5, 1) = 164d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 5, 6) = 184d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 5, 3) = 14 Assuming all of those hit, that's 60 total non-lethal force.

All the Gargoyles are Intimidated for 4 rounds.

The Gargoyles flinch as Marnir's magically enhanced words lash them.

Purple looks even more shocked as flames break out on his body.

Kung sends a javelin at Yellow, which skids off the Gargoyle barely scratching him.

Maddie blasts Blue with three rays, all of which slam into it.

Jane spits a ball of webbing at Orange
Reflex save: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Who shrugs off the spell.

Awaiting Niobe's action.

Niobe launches a pair of darts at the nearest gargoyle, lacking much else of use to do.

Dart attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Dart attack #2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Dart damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Dark damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The extra point of damage comes from having higher Strength while shifted.

Niobe's darts bounce off her target.

The Gargoyles hover in the air, 10' feet up. Marnir seems to have drawn their ire and several concentrate on him.

Attack Orange: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Attack Orange: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Attack Yellow: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Attack Yellow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Attack Red: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Attack Red: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Their shaky hands show how his magic has unnerved them.

Blue is angered by Maddies spell hammering him and tries to remove her.

Attack Blue: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Attack Blue: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Missing pathetically.

Purple tries vainly to shake off the fire clinging to him.
fire damage: 1d10 ⇒ 7

Green swoops over to the other side of the party and targets Jane

Attack Green: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Attack Green: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

His aim is as awful as the others.
Where have all my good rolls gone!

The party may now act.

Knowledge D.: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Once again, Jane looks up at the Orange Gargoyle and casts Cause Fear to try and make this a little more even battlefield. Then she pulls her crossbow out of its sheath.

DC 15 Will or feared for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds. If saved, shaken for 1 round.

Maddie casts Burning Hands defensively, Hoping to drop him to unconsciousness.

DC 19 Ref save for half of: 5d4 ⇒ (3, 4, 4, 4, 1) = 16 Fire damage.

Since her darts have no effect, Niobe just takes cover and hides.

Marnir barely notices the arrow graze his cheek, and his wound begins to knit almost immediately as the magic of his warchant suffuses his flesh. He steps towards two of the gargoyles and sweeps his axe in an arc towards them. A wave of noise and force splits the air, like a ship driving through waves, as Marnir's magic slams into the creatures. As the noise settles he shouts "Let's get back inside, they have the advantage out here!"

Fast healing starts thanks to Skald's Vigour, Free Action to continue inspired rage, Move Action to move 10ft, Standard Action to cast thundering drums catching yellow and orange (who I believe are still 10ft up so I won't have to cast defensively. Both take 5d8 ⇒ (5, 6, 5, 4, 7) = 27 sonic damage and must make a DC 10 Fly check to avoid falling 10ft. A successful DC 17 Fortitude save halves the damage.

Kung spins and tries to help clear a path to the stairs so that there is a way to seek cover. He then moves to the foot of the stairs where he positions himself to wait until the rest of the party have passed.

(Not sure that know where "inside" is... but Kung's in rage so I'm okay with being mistaken about where we should be headed. Marnir, if I got it wrong, then Kung did too and you'll have to correct us in character. :)

Fort save Yellow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Fort save Orange: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 Oh come on!

Both Gargoyles reel in the air as Marnirs spell slams into them.
Fly check automatically succeeds.

Blue and Green move to block your retreat over the stairs.

Both target spellcasters first.
Attack - shaken Blue vs Maddie: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Attack - shaken Blue vs Maddie: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Missing Maddie.

Attack - shaken Green vs Niobe: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Attack - shaken Green vs Niobe: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Wounding Niobe slightly.

Red, Yellow & Purple land to attack Marnir

Attack Red - shaken + flanking vs Marnir: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 - 2 + 2 = 14
Attack Yellow - shaken + flanking vs Marnir: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 - 2 + 2 = 18
Attack Purple - shaken + flanking vs Marnir: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 12 - 2 + 2 = 29
damage + Sneak attack Purple vs Marnir: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (6, 2) = 11

One managing to blood Marnir

Orange lands and tries to grapple Jane
attack - Shaken Orange vs Jane: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
His claws just skidding off her armor.

Damage Purple Blistering Invective: 1d10 ⇒ 2

The party may now act

GM - I have improved uncanny dodge, which means I can't be flanked and therefore can't be sneak attacked unless the gargoyles have 14 levels in a sneak attack-granting class (and we're in deep shit if they do!).
As such I take 3 damage, then apply my DR1/- to reduce it to 2, then heal 4 HP with Skald's Vigour. I gain HP this round despite being hit.

The gargoyles attempt to surround Marnir but many years of fighting in the swirling melee of a boarding action mean that he is able to fend off their attacks. One claw gently grazes his arm but the wound immediately heals over.

Marnir pauses in his warsong between verses to let out a dry, low, chuckle. "That was a mistake," he growls before restarting his song and launching himself at the gargoyles.

Free Action to continue raging song, Free Action to 5ft step, Full Round Action to full attack. I'll attack orange first and if he dies on my first attack I'll attack purple with my second.

Axe attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 19 ⇒ (4) + 19 = 23

Axe attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27

Kung - my initial plan was to head back in where we came from, but down the stairs works just as well. Anywhere the gargoyles can't use their flight advantage really.

Two blows kill Orange.

Kung launches another javelin at one of the flying gargoyles, and continues to move down the stairs towards what he thinks must be safety.

Kung - my initial plan was to head back in where we came from, but down the stairs works just as well. Anywhere the gargoyles can't use their flight advantage really.

I didn't see any buildings on the map, so made an assumption about where we had came from. I'm also comfortable going this way though; as I said before, I think the bad guess on my part is still good RP for what happens when a raging barbarian leads the way to safety.

Who wounded me? Do they have Flyby Attack or something? Nobody is adjacent to me on the map.

@Niobe. They are using Longbows.

@GM, Any updates on my knowledge roll? Or fear spell?

Oh, well that makes this simple!

Niobe waves her hand at the two flyers down the lane and pulls at the essence of the wood in their bows.

Warp wood, Will DC 17 or their bows are useless.

It looks like you missed my previous post about throwing burning hands as well =,(

Reflex save Blue: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17 Blue takes 8 points fire damage.

Will Blue: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Will Green: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Kung misses with his Javelin as he trundles down the stairs.

Blue & Green resist Niobes spell.

Marnir steps neatly behind Orange, whose stony hide doesn't help against the Captains black axe.

Maddie & Jane, actions?

Taking a step back, Jane aims at the yellow gargoyle and fires her crossbow.
Crossbow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Maddie will once again move and empower Marnir again.

Giving you a +5 Morale bonus to Attack Rolls, Damage Rolls, and Will Saves for 1 round.

Jane scratches Yellow

Maddie boosts Marnir

Blue takes stock of things and decides somewhere else is a good place to be, he flies away hurriedly.

Green lands and moves in to attack Niobe
claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Fire damage: 1d10 ⇒ 6

Purple still on fire, attacks Marnir
Claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
Claw: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Bite: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Gore: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Red & Yellow both move to flank Maddie
Claw + Flanking Red: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Claw + Flanking Yellow: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Damage + Sneak attack Yellow: 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 2 + (5, 1) = 13

The party may now attack. All the remaining Gargoyles are on the ground.

Marnir's song echoes loudly off the stone of the ancient buildings as his axe scythes down one of the gargoyles. He turns to address a second one when he feels Maddie's touch cause a swelling of rage and fury inside him. Ignoring the flaming creature next to him he swings his blade at one of the gargoyles trying to surround Maddie.

Free Action to continue inspired rage, Swift Action to use Arcane Strike, Full Round Action to full attack starting with red then 5ft stepping to attack yellow if red dies on my first swing.

Axe attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 24 ⇒ (6) + 24 = 30

Axe attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 24 ⇒ (2) + 24 = 26

On reaching the bottom of the stairs, Kung has that odd sense that he's suddenly alone. He glances back up the stairs to see battle fully engaged on the ground.

Marnir say run for shelter? If all disobey captain--even captain!--then Kung can too!

He turns on his heel and begins moving back up the stairs towards the battle.

I was going to buff you last round Kung, but you were all the way down there!

Maddie will move, provoking from both of the Gargoyles flanking her.

She will then cast Glitterdust, centered so that it only hits Red and Yellow.

DC 19 Will save or Blinded!

Jane loads another crossbolt and fires at the yellow gargoyle.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Niobe stands her ground, readies her obsidian spear, and thrusts it at her adversary.

Spear: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Spear damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Maddie casts a sparkling cloud on two of the Gargoyles.

Will save Red: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Will save Yellow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Red & Yellow both shriek in shock and terror as they are suddenly blinded.

Marnir comforts Red with several axe blows that end his wailing permanently.

Kung mutters something about people who can't make up their minds, runs back up the steps and slams his blade into Green

Niobe & Jane both hit and lightly wound their targets.

Purple decides enough is enough and steps back, flying away.

Yellow is blinded and tries escaping.
direction: 1d8 ⇒ 5

His blind escape taking him with reach of Jane, Maddie & Marnir.
AOO for anyone of those three with a melee weapon out?

The party may now act.

I need to get a sword of some kind, although given recent events, I suspect it is not long for this world. Also, don't forget to roll at the end of the round for Yellow to escape blindness from Glitterdust!

Content that the one next to her is contained, Maddie moves down and empowers Kung to slay the other one.

I will provoke from Yellow, should he both be able to see and still be standing when it gets to my turn.

As for you Kung, you can have a +5 Morale bonus to Attack Rolls, Damage Rolls, and Will Saves for 1 round.

Marnir takes advantage of the opening the blind gargoyle provides and strikes out with his axe.

AoO: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36
Damage: 1d8 + 24 ⇒ (3) + 24 = 27

The gargoyle inexplicably stops right next to Marnir, who isn't one to pass up such a gift. Singing loudly and proudly he continues to hack away at the unfortunate creature.

Free Action to continue inspired rage, Swift Action to use Arcane Strike, Full Round Action to full attack yellow.

Axe attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27

Axe attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25

Jane sees the yellow come closer to her, she steps back and aims her crossbow. Fires it at the gargoyle.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Marnir & Jane finish off Yellow.

Kung cuts Green down.

2 Gargoyles did a runner, you killed 4.

Loot.
+1 arrows (72),
+1 giant bane arrows (20),
+1 monstrous humanoid bane arrows (20);
MW composite longbow (+2 Str) (4).

As you hurriedly gather the spoils left by the battle you hear a voice calling to you. "Over here, quickly!" From the fountain at G9 you see a large womans head peeking over the edge as she waves at you.

You also hear some curious shouting from G10. Though this sounds like Cyclopes.

What are you doing now?

Gargoyles with 4 Rogue (Sniper) levels were what you had to deal with.

"We better get under cover before those gargoyles come back with friends," says Niobe worriedly.

Hearing the call from the fountain, Marnir looks over to see a large woman beckoning him over. Wary of more trouble he keeps his axe in hand and walks over, keeping his distance. "Who are you? Are you working with the cyclopses?" he asks cautiously.

Vailea

The large blue woman looks disgusted. "Hardly!", she looks around carefully. "Get behind the fountain, if the idiots look out to see what's making the noise they'll go back to eating if they don't see anything. They're so busy starving they think of little else but eating anything they can catch!"

Once things have grown quiet again she introduces herself to you properly. "My name is Vailea. Centuries ago the original Cyclopes inhabitants trapped and bound me to this fountain. Holding me in servitude to use my magic for their own benefit. If I didn't they tortured me! When the Cyclops elders who could force me to obey died or left this place I was abandoned, trapped here in this tiny amount of water for centuries."

She looks you over very carefully. "I am a Mariad. Once a year we have enough magic to cast a Wish. What I need is someone to use that Wish to free me from this place. I can offer you a lot of information on the current inhabitants if you do so."

What is your response?

"What did the Cyclops elders make you do?"

Kung looks on in fascination as the woman explains her story. Grant a wish! Oh, what Kung would wish for.... Gold, big house on Drenchport overlook the Eye. The Eye! Kung wish for swim in the Eye, all the way to bottom and be first to come back alive. That Kung wish! His eyes glaze as he ponders the possibilities.

Despite Kung's personal desires, I vote for freeing the mariad. I can't promise, though, that he won't try to blurt out a selfish wish if given the opportunity.

K.Planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Jane watches on, but says nothing.

"Sounds like you've had a bad time of it," Marnir says, mulling over Vailea's offer. "What kind of information can you offer?" he asks, concerned with how useful she might be.

Sorry people I had her response put in, but the board seems to have eaten it?

Basically she was bound to the fountain when she was young and can only use her magic as she is ordered to. This was how the Cyclopes used her yearly wish spell for their own profit. She was left behind when the last civilized Cyclopes left centuries ago. The current, degenerate Cyclopes do not know she is there and she has made sure to remain hidden from them, not wanting to be forced into servitude again.

She can tell you the general layout from memory, though she can't say how much it's changed over the span of so many years. Give you information on the number of Cyclopes and their leader.

All she wants is for you to order her to use her wish to free herself from her bonds.

What are you doing now?