Skull & shackles (Inactive)

Game Master DBH

"I'm not terrible at stealth, though it isn't my strong suit.....of course, I could always serve as the distraction, keeping everyone's attention on me while you all get inside." Callie suggests.

"I think we're all going to have to go in together," Marnir suggests. "Sneaking isn't my thing either, but if we go in like we're boarding a ship - all axes and shouting - then we're going to attract too much attention."

He thinks for a second, before coming to a conclusion. "Let's do it tonight, before anyone works out what we're up to. We sneak in as best we can, find the evidence, and get out sharpish."

"All right. I can climb as a grippli or something and see if there's an entry on the roof. If there is, I can lower down a rope. If not, I can just climb back down," says Niobe.

As you would expect the tavern doesn't close it's doors until well after midnight, it takes another hour or so for the last of the drunk and the unlucky to stagger off to their berths.

The docks are reasonably quiet now as you lurk in a shadowed alleyway.

What are you doing now? Plenty of time for buffing before you act.

"Sounds like a plan," Marnir says before downing the last of his pint. "Let's get back to the Drake, get ourselves ready, then come back once the place is quiet."

I'll cast see invisibility, heroism on myself before we leave the ship, then extended mirror image for 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 images on myself and extended blur on Kung just before we arrive at the tavern.

"Here you go," Marnir whispers, handing a coil of rope from the Drake to Niobe in preparation for her climb. "Are we ready?" he asks the others.

I'll cast Heroism on Niobe, and Ironskin on myself just before we enter.

"As we'll ever be, I suppose." Callidora whispers as she turns to Niobe, quickly speaking an incantation as she squeezes her fellow mermaid's hand and leans in to kiss her cheek. " Be careful.". A sense of great bravery and morale fills her, boosting her confidence and self-assuredness.

Waiting for the climb. Place yourself on the map where you want to go up.

I've positioned myself. I figure we should start our ascent somewhat back from the street, just in case.

Niobe easily scales the side of the tavern and scans the ramshackle rooftop for any entrances. Her survey is interrupted when she is attacked from behind by an invisible enemy.

claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29

damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (5, 5) + 6 = 16
damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (6, 2) + 6 = 14

Niobe feels an icy fear weakening her.

Will save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

But resists the urge to succumb to it.

Niobe has been grabbed by her opponent, who is now visible. They are 20' up on the roof. Climb DC 10.

The party may now act.

Niobe also benefits from +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks for the next 110 minutes, thanks to Heroism, cast above

Callidora lets out an alarmed gasp as...something appears on the rooftop and attacks Niobe. The anger and emotion is clear in her voice as she utters a chant laden with arcane power and a crackling, spherical storm cloud manifests on the roof, enveloping Niobe’s attacker.

Cast Greater Aggressive Thunderstorm

Electricity (DC 19 reflex negates): 6d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 6, 1, 6, 2) = 20 and stunned for 1 round. DC 19 Fort negates

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

"Cioldryss, help her!!"

The shimmering little dragon quickly flies up to the roof level, uttering the words to a spell in draconic as he guestures with claws and tail, sending a powerful blast of water at the creature.

Hydaulic Push CMD: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

"Oh you've done it now %$!er!!"

Having already cast see invisibility would I have had advanced warning?

No. The attacker was concealed on the roof until someone came up. Hidden behind the slope of the roof as it were.

Callidora. You need to beat SR22.

SR check Callidora: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

SR check Cioldryss: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Inconvenient.

"Niobe!" Marnir calls out as he sees her grabbed by a spiny nightmare. He starts a low rumbling chant, the harsh Ulfen syllables bolstering him and his friends as he draws his axe. With Niobe isolated on the roof Marnir reaches out to touch Cally and Kung. "Hold onto your guts," he says, letting his magic flow into his crewmates.

A short stomach-churning moment of nothingness later and they are standing on the roof, ready to face down whatever was lying in wait for them.

Inspired rage starts at the beginning of combat, Move Action to draw my axe, Standard Action to cast dimension door bringing Kung and Cally with me if they're willing.
I've not moved anyone, just indicated where I'm aiming in case people don't want to come with.

Hell yes!

Definitely in for the dimension door!

Kung takes a moment to steady his head when they arrive, but is quickly bounding across the roof to defend Niobe from the hidden attacker.

fort save vs GAT: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18 Oh come on!

Kung takes damage from the many barbs and spikes that make up this things hide as he hits it hard. Though he feels it resist the full damage.

damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Niobe concentrates and casts, slipping from the things barbed hands. Concentration: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34

Freedom of movement on herself.

It's stunned this round, so everyone can act.

Callidora continues to vent her fury on the fiendish creature, punishing it for hurting Niobe, cold mocking laughter echoing across the rooftop as her spell and sheer malice come to bear.

Greater Aggressive Thundercloud continues (DC 19 reflex negates): 6d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 1, 5, 4, 2) = 19

Standard action - Misfortune Hex: roll all ability checks, attack rolls, saving throws, or skill checks twice and take worse result. 1 round. DC 20 Will negates.

Move action - Cackle Hex: Extend all hexes 1 round.

Marnir shakes off the disorientation from his spell and continues his war chant, his voice low and rumbling. He hefts his axe and strides forward to strike at the spiky beast.

Free Action to continue inspired rage, Swift Action to use Arcane Strike, Free Action to 5ft step, Full Round Action to full attack.

Axe attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 17 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 29 ⇒ (6) + 29 = 35

Axe attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Damage: 1d8 + 29 ⇒ (3) + 29 = 32

Confirm?: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Extra damage?: 2d8 + 58 ⇒ (5, 2) + 58 = 65

Barely feeling the slight rending of his flesh, Kung continues swinging his greatsword with all of his might.

Whatever: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Niobe backs up and fails to do anything useful.

will save vs misfortune: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
ref save vs GAT: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25

Shaking off the stunning effect of Callidora's lightning the beast absorbs savage blows from Marnir & Kung.

damage for Marnir & Kung: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

It grins wickedly and with Niobe escaping it lashes out at Marnir.

Claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23
Claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23 ???

The party may now act.

Marnir barely notices the beast's spines stabbing into him and his wounds begin to heal quickly. He steps carefully across the roof, ducking the creature's claws, trying to get behind it, and continues his war chant. He presses the attack, his axe blade glinting in the moonlight.

Free Action to continue inspired rage, Free Action to 5ft step, Swift Action to use Arcane Strike, Full Round Action to full attack. I assume Niobe isn't carrying a weapon so I don't get the flank.

Axe attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 29 ⇒ (7) + 29 = 36

Axe attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 29 ⇒ (3) + 29 = 32

Though his forearms grow ever bloodier as his wild swings continue to slash deeply into the creatures hide, Kung revels in the glory of the battle. He continues to swing with a glorious grin on his face.

I actually carry a spear, which I can post when I cast spells! Though presumably it would be stowed while I was climbing, and then I was grappled from surprise...

Niobe grabs the line tied to her spear and hauls it over her shoulder so that she can grip it again. She speaks a quick blessing to aid Kung in shredding this monster.

Giving Kung the War Blessing of Nobility for +2 morale bonus on attack rolls.

Marnir & Kung between them batter the creature to death, as it falls it fades away, showing you it was a summoned being.

Silence falls over the docks after the loud combat.

What are you doing now?

"Let's get inside quickly," Marnir mutters, going to flick blood from his axe as is his habit, before realising that the fiend has left nothing of itself behind. "That wasn't the sneaky entry I'd hoped for, someone might come looking for us or be getting ready to meet us inside."

He looks around for some way into the theatre from the roof or any other dangers that might be coming their way.

Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (10) + 21 = 31

Ni, how hurt are you from that thing?

Kung, still amped up from his rage, begins scanning the roof for the next threat. His peg-leg continues to tap, ringing against the roof tiles as his head darts left and right, back and forth.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

Ni, how hurt are you from that thing?

As far as I can tell I didn't take any damage? The barbs injured Kung and it clawed at Marnir but I didn't see any actual damage to me, scrolling through the back posts.

Niobe easily scales the side of the tavern and scans the ramshackle rooftop for any entrances. Her survey is interrupted when she is attacked from behind by an invisible enemy.

claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29

damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (5, 5) + 6 = 16
damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (6, 2) + 6 = 14

Niobe feels an icy fear weakening her.

Will save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

But resists the urge to succumb to it.

So 30 if I'm reading that right.

No way in from the roof.

What are you doing now?

Pff, that's nothing.

What's the roof made of?

"Balls," Marnir says quietly, frustrated that they made so much noise fighting the demon to no avail. He peers over the edge of the roof to see if they've attracted any attention in the street below.

"I have a potion that can render one of us invisible." Callidora says, holding up a small vial.

The roof is made with slates, in poor condition. You could easily get through it with a kick or two.

Kung's eyes, still wild from the battle, notice the poor condition of the roof as small chips fly from where his peg-leg continues to tap away. He looks to Marnir with a grin, a clear question in the lift of his eyebrow, when the continual tapping finally breaks through before his captain can approve the strategy.

Kung is still raging, so a little careless, haha; there's some part of his brain that would have asked for permission, but his peg-leg has a mind of its own when his blood is up!

@GM, Strength check? Unarmed Strike?

I'll also need to know how many rounds of rage between the end of the fight and when we get in; Kung is avoiding fatigue until we know we're not facing a new threat.

No need for a strength check, an acrobatics to land safely is needed though. Just jump up and down once or twice then CRASH!

Almost without intent, the rhythmic tapping cracks and crumbles the tiles underneath Kung; the surrounding tiles give way almost immediately and the half-orc tumbles through into the theatre.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Kung demonstrates the value of good house keeping by going through the rook, landing hard but safely on the floor below.

Gorebeard who was heading for the door bellows with delight and hurries to attack.

Everyone else is on the roof, Kung is inside and about to fight a psychotic Barbarian. What is everyone doing?

"That's the sneaking plan thrown overboard then," Marnir mutters as Kung's wooden leg smashes a hole in the roof, sending the master-at-arms disappearing into the theatre.

He hears a roar from below and sees the insane barbarian from earlier in the night moving towards Kung. "Looks like Kung might have met his match," he says to Niobe and Cally before dropping down through the hole to join the fight.

Acrobatics, heroism: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 2 = 33

@GM, Kung has been in rage this whole time. How many rounds from the end of the rooftop battle to the start of this one?

Niobe shifts form in a blur, turning into a winged, owl-like humanoid of dark skin. She blinks and twists her head to regard Callidora, apparently unable to rotate her eyes.

"Hop aboard! I'll fly us down!" she says.

Shapeshifting into a strix should give me a fly speed. Boosting my strength as part of the shift will let me carry Callidora down.

Kung this is round 4 of your Rage.

Botting Kung

Rather than wait for Gorebeard to arrive Kung charges him and comes in swinging.

greatsword: 1d20 + 24 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 24 + 2 = 30
damage: 2d6 + 24 + 2 ⇒ (4, 6) + 24 + 2 = 36

Giving him a serious wound.

You all hear a Bard starting her Inspire to one side of the room, there is still no sign of the last member of the group?

What are you doing now?

Hearing singing echoing around the theatre Marnir quickly turns his head to see if his magically enhanced sight can pick out the source.

Any joy with see invisibility GM?

With Kung and the barbarian already locked in combat, and the advantage of stealth completely lost, Marnir bellows his Ulfen war chant, it's harsh syllables especially loud in the good acoustics of the theatre. He hefts his axe and wades into the fight alongside his friend, moving along the wall in an attempt to get behind the furious Gorebeard.

Inspired rage starts without an action, Swift Action to use Arcane Strike, Move Action to move 20ft, Standard Action to attack.

Axe attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 17 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 29 ⇒ (8) + 29 = 37

Bard is on the map and you can see her.

Sorry you had to bot me. I must have misunderstood the posts; I never saw a call that it was my turn to take an action. Am I up again then?