Souls for a Devil

Game Master Tordek Rumnaheim

Bear in mind Savendir has low-light vision. Is this total darkness?

Dim light, but as I read it, the low-light vision will let you see twice as far as regular vision in low light. So I thought that distance was 40 feet and the group ahead of you is 50 feet. I could be wrong however.

Nyxalia waits for the others to catch up before proceeding, she wants to see what Savendir has to say.

When he is close enough, Savendir whispers, "Can you see what lies ahead?"

Ulath keeps to the rear of the group a he's very wary of alerting others to his presence. 'Well I suppose it's a fine thing that I didn't get mesenth a gift of light footedness. If only I were in the forest.'

He looks down at his heavy leather boots reproachfully.

Nyxalia turns to Savendir and whispers, "no, there is a staircase leading down, but it bends and I can't see very far."
She takes another quick glance to be sure. "It is well lit however, so it is obvious that it is well used."

The sprawling staircase gradually winds its way down into the undercity. Iron lamps hang from the ceiling on slender chains casting a dim light. The centuries old walls are a patchwork of fissures and repaired holes. It is apparent that the attempts by the duskwardens to keep the undercity sealed is a never-ending challenge. You spy an occasional rat scurrying into a small holes along the wall.

spiral stairs

You are currently at the top of the stairs near row A. Each row is 20 feet across, divided into 5 foot squares, marked 1 - 4. Give me your coordinates on the map, I.e. F3, H2 etc and I will place you on the map. I'll assume this is your marching order as you go down the stairs. Clicking on the magnifying glass will enlarge the picture making it easier to see.

Hugging the walls, the dwarf doesn't want to be too close to the central spiral - since it's very steep and the constant maintenance of the dilapidated stair doesn't imbue trust to it's structural integrity.

With a soft murmur that he doesn't really like these steps, Ulath descends. "What light do we have? Maybe t' bend of t' stair will 'amper their sight."

Ulath might start in A1.

Are there walls on both sides? The centre isn't open is it?

Nyxalia takes the inner edge of the stairs and starts to descend slowly.

Assuming she was already at the head of the stairs (in A4), she will end up at M4 after a double move.

Yes, there are walls on both sides of the stairs. The center is not open.

Updated map with Ulath and Nyxalia placed on it.

Once everyone is placed on the map, you all can take a look and decide if that is how you want to space yourself apart as you go down the stairs. Then we will proceed.

Owen creeps silently down the stairs slightly behind Nyxalia, ready to disappear at a moment's notice.

Moves to L3

Savendir strides lightly down the stairs, a distance behind the stealthier operators in the front.

C3

Stairs with everyone placed but Ilias and Zarine

Time to move along. I went ahead and placed Ilias at G2 and Zarine at K1. If anyone wants to change your positioning just let me know and I can make the adjustment.

Final placement on the stairs as you make your descent.

You begin to make your way down the spiraling stair case. The door you entered is quickly out of sight as you round the bend. The stairs seem to wind endlessly. You see nothing that tells you how far down you have gone. You do not hear any sounds except for an occasional drip of water as it condenses and falls from the ceiling onto the floor.

How are you proceeding the down the stairs? Are there any spells or other preparations you want to do before proceeding further?

"I ain't got any useful spells. Anyone else?" the stocky carpenter mumbles as they softly move down the stairs. "But we may as well check if we hear owt every dozen steps. And I'll check the outer wall to see if it swings open into a hidden landing." He looks at the dim light of the stairwell - trying to figure if they need to dowse the lights or get more for the humans in the expedition.

Perception (traps): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

I got nothin'.

Perception Check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Nyxalia continues her descent around the central curve of the stairs, pausing occasionally to listen and always on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary.

She will just keep going until she hears people, finds something, or hits a landing.

"Needs a decent baluster and rail." Ulath mutters to himself. His heavy hands slip across the rough hewn walls, trying to confirm the presence of any concealed doors from his visual inspection. Softly he plods down the stairs.

"Doest thar think that there could be a shaft in t' centre of the stairwell?" He asks the others being overly cautious as he progresses down the stairs.
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

"Doest thar think that there could be a shaft in t' centre of the stairwell?" He asks the others being overly cautious as he progresses down the stairs.

"Need to stay quiet. Might miss something otherwise."

Zarine wends her way down the stairs in the same relative position to Owen and Nyxalia, kukri in hand.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Strange, but with a certain appealing symmetry.

You continue your way carefully down the stairs. By your rough estimate you think you have descending for 15 minutes. You see no doors or landings to mark your descent. Not a sound can be heard except for the drip drip drip of water and the scuffing of your shoes on the stone steps.

"This seems to be an impossibly deep stair," Savendir mutters to no one in particular. "I cannot fathom how deep we must be descending, nor am I looking forward to the return ascent."

Owen pauses, putting a hand on the hilt of his dagger.

"Quiet. Hear something in the wall."

Ulath keeps perfectly still, staring hard at the wall as if it could melt away and reveal the door hidden behind. In the flickering light he tries to see if the mortar is upto standards.

Everyone stops as Owen asks and stands quietly. Ulath observes that the mortar in the walls while not smooth, does seem to adequately contain the cracks.

Seconds seem like hours as you listen and wait.

Suddenly, three dire rats emerge from small holes in the base of the walls. One emerges from the hole a few steps behind Nyxali while the other two come out near Savendir.

The rat next to Savendir takes a bite at him. bite: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12, bite: 1d4 ⇒ 3 Savendir is able to narrowly avoid the vermin's razor sharp inscisors.

Roll initiative

Map with Dire Rats

"Look sharp." Ulath whispers softly in his low tones as the vermin move from the walls.

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Nyxalia turns at the sound behind her and sees a large rat close by. She quickly moves towards it and attempts to kick it.

Attack Dire Rat: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Wow... bad rolls for everything but damage. :/

Does everyone want a free 30 foot of movement, since I was going to use my marshal's call as a Swift. Thus allowing the sneak attackers some better positions & Full attacks all around.

Initiative: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

Owen casts vanish at the earliest possible opportunity.

Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Sorry for the silence, my new assignment is keeping me very busy. I'll roll for Ilias to get things moving.

Ilias Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
.
.

Initiative order
Savendir
Ulath
Ilias
Zarine
Owen
rats
Nyxalia
End Round 1

Why not.

Savendir steps back and casts his enchantment over the nearest rat, hoping it will stay calm so that he can find out who has been through here.

5-foot step to B2 and Charm animal on the top-most rat. DC 15 Will save to resist.

Savendir casts his spell at the dire rat that tried to bite him. The spell contacts the beast but it seems oblivious to the spells effect.

Initiative order
Ulath
Ilias
Zarine
Owen
dire rats
Nyxalia
End Round 1
Savendir

"Reet, I think it'd be best t' get around them. Pincer 'em, like." He says looking to Savendir as he tries to calm the animals. "That is if they cannot be assuaged."

Double move to F3, drawing an Axe as he goes.
Swift: Marshals' Order. Everyone gets a FREE/EXTRA 30' move (or 5' step)

Swiftly putting Ulath's orders into action, Zarine springs up the stairs past the nearest rat and stands on the step above it, holding her attack until another of the party joins her.

Move to H4 and hold until rat is flanked.
Kukri attack (higher and flanked): 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 16
Kukri plus sneak: 1d4 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (1, 6) = 13
+2 bleed damage if hits

If that's a free move, I will move to H2.

Owen, looking somewhat annoyed, makes a small motion with his hands, as if pocketing a small object. Somehow managing to leap several steps in a split second, he aims a precision strike at one of the rats.

Shifts to J4, then sneak attacks the now-flanked rat at I4.

Sneak attack (+1 dagger): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13; Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + (4) + 2 = 8

...and we are rolling again. I have updated the map with everyone's movements. I started Ilias off with summoning a wolf at A3 (not shown on the map.) Can someone take his actions for the remainder of the combat?

Updated Map of stairs.

Ilias chants and a wolf appears behind one of the dire rats. The wolf takes a bite at the rat but the rat easily evades the gaping jaws. bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Zarine's attack hits but Owen is unable to land his blow. The rat while severely wounded remains standing.

The rats cry out and begin to grow taller. Each is replaced by a snarling, humanoid hairy rat brandishing a short sword.

The rat between Zarine and Owen swings its short sword at Owen. attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9. Owen easily ducks under the swing.

attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 = 25, confirm crit: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 = 17, damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4, crit damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
The rat next to the wolf takes a swing and connects solidly driving its sword into a vital organ. The wolf manages to remain standing hp:5/13

Initiative order
Nyxalia
End Round 1
Savendir
Ulath
Ilias
Zarine
Owen
dire rats

"Reety-ho, time for a bit o' vermin extinction." He says hefting his axe and unstrapping a ebon shield from his back. Keeping the protective arm between him and the rats, he swings a heavily muscled arm culminating in the razor sharp axe.

He glances at Ilias as he's stepped in the way; "Unless tha' wanted to be here and have a crack at 'em?"

Move: Unstrap Shield
5 foot step to E3
Attack (Rat D4): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Do you get a -1 for low ground? Or is it only the rats get a +1 on the steps above.

no there is not a -1 for attacking from a lower step. Rather, the higher creature gets a +4 to AC. There is a +1 to attack for striking from a higher step,

The rat is able to dodge Ulath's swing.

"Bugger." he states as his axe swishes by.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

"Wererats," Owen hisses. "Very dangerous. Nasty bite."

"Bugger." he repeats as Owen inform them of the nature of their foe.

Acid begins to drip from Nyxalia's palms as she moves towards the closest Wererat. Once she is within range, she pushes her palm forward, attempting to connect with the assailant's face.

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Move to I3 and Attack the Wererat in I4 with her Elemental Fist
Elemental Fist: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Fist Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 Acid Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Zarine follows up her initial slash with another vicious swipe, watching the creature bleed with some satisfaction.

Kukri atk: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 21
Kukri dmg: 1d4 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 3 + (3, 1) = 11
I think the bleed takes place on my turn? Has anybody else played a summoner? I've no clue what to do with Ilas. Never even seen one in play.

The wererat swings out of the way of Nyxalia's fist, but unfortunately swerves right into Zarine's Kukri. The weapon creates another gash in the wererat's torso but does not seem to be as effective as her first attack while in its dire rat form. Her first wound continues to bleed.

Initiative order
Savendir
Ulath (swung and missed)
Ilias
Zarine (attacked successfully)
Owen
dire rats
Nyxalia
End Round 2

Ilias has his summoned wolf available to attack. Also he can take another action but he cannot have his eidilon and a summoned creature at the same time. Here is a post showing his typical action.

Owen aims a lightning-fast strike at his foe with his jeweled dagger, muttering something under his breath.

Attacks the flanked wererat at I4.

Sneak Attack (+1 dagger): 1d20 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 3 = 11; Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + (6) + 2 = 10

Owen spends 1 use of mythic power to use Surge on his attack roll: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Owen calls upon his mythic power to aid in his blow but the wererat is still able to avoid the damage. It cackles and says in a mocking tone, "You are no match for us. Lay down your weapons and give us all of your belongings and we will spare your lives."

Initiative order
Savendir
Ulath (swung and missed)
Ilias
Zarine (attacked successfully)
Owen (stabbed and missed)
wererats
Nyxalia
End Round 2

If no one posts an action for Ilias by the time Savendir does, then I'll post one.