Supreme Being's Tyranny of Dragons (5E) (Inactive)

Game Master scranford

"By the way you introduced him, I figured he had a long list of transgressions. What are they? He chuckles, "Feel free to just give the highlights."

Tycandus accepts the vials with thanks, and stows them for later use.

Escobert grumbles a bit, then starts to descend back into the keep. "Well iffen you're going, then let's go". "Time's a wasting, and we need answers".

The gruff dwarf leads the party down past the area of the keep they are already familiar with, then opens a door, that both Treggor, and Eiryn know leads to the dungeons. Instead of going left into the Dungeon, however they turn right, and enter another hallway, stacked with crates, and with two doors on each side. As the party descends, they are greeted with looks of hope, and despair, and in the case of Treggor, more than a little fear.

"Here help me move this wardrobe". Escobert exclaims grabbing one side of a large wardrobe, and trying to slide it aside. Moving the furniture reveals a large heavy wood door, covered in cobwebs, with rusty hinges, and a big lock in the middle of the door. At first it fails to yield to Escobert's efforts to unlock it, but with a liberal application of oil, it finally opens up into the darkness. Nobody's used this tunnel in ages, so it might be caved in for all I know... Still this is the best chance". "I wish you luck, and if you can capture a prisoner, I would appreciate you returning them here". With that he removes the key from his ring, and hands it to one of you. "You can use this to get back in". "Be sure and lock the door behind you, so's no bad guys can get in".

Bor gathers his things along with the spyglass and hurries to catch up with the group. Escobert in the lead, Bor steps up to follow him and asks, "Will this exit put us near the mill?"

Well the mill's on the other side of town, but you can follow the stream bed to it, and get pretty good cover". "Why are you needing the Mill"?

[ooc]OK Setting the scene. The tunnel is damp, dark, and cramped. There is only room to walk one abreast, so I'll need...

*Marching order
*Light sources
*Any special precautions, or preparations.

If no one has a light spell, Dorn will ask for a torch before heading out. He recommends the following order, from front to rear:

• Treggor
• Bor
• Vano
• Eiryn
• Dorn
• Tycandus

Given his own less-than-legal past, Dorn feels a bit professionally insulted by a criminal such as Treggor. An odd thought for a thief to have, one might think. But Dorn knew the difference between thieves and criminals.

Criminals were sloppy enough enough to get caught.

So Dorn thought it fitting that Treggor keep to the front. "It's good to have someone as skilled as you with a sword to lead us," he tells Treggor with a serious tone.

:-)

He keeps his crossbow loaded and ready.

Bor cinches his shield to his forearm and draws his warhammer. Smaller weapons will work better in a hallway when it comes down to it. He lines up towards the front knowing some of his more shadowy companions will better scout than he. His duty is shield and muscle at the forefront. Lead from the front his father taught him as a youth. Though they were simpler folk, he would never forget such lessons.

"I'll carry a torch if needed. But my hammer if not."

I'm ok with that order. Maybe even let Vano run ahead since he'll have darkvision.

That does seem better, but I can see the in-character advantages of not having Treggor at your back.

"Aye, I be skilled with a sword. I've cut down soldier, assassin, and scoundrel alike, and I've got me the scars to prove it. And 'atwixt me and the men that have crossed me, I be the only one this side of the grave. So if ye be makin' any plans fer yer dagger whilst striding behind me, I must warn ye to reconsider." Treggor ends his declaration with a half smile, turning to walk ahead and drawing his short sword.

Eiryn never bothered learning to channel her deities power into an actual light source. Her elven heritage let her see in the dark and there were more than enough candles at the cloister if she wanted to read past sundown. Also, it's not like you really choose the powers your god grants you. You may pray for them, but you don'T have the final say in the matter.
Still, as the group enters the dark coridor, she fells stupid about it. And selfish. Especially since she gets to walk in the middle of the group, protected from all sides.

A priest of a god with a candle as a holy symbol that can't even cast a simple light spell. I guess irony is the humor of the gods, Eiryn thinks while falling in behind Vano. She mumbles silent prayers to her god while walking along, asking him to enhance her senses, so she might notice any dangers beforehand.

The marching order looks fine. Eiryn prays a short prayer every minute, casting Guidance so she will have +1d4 on her next check. I think that is ok for about 10 minutes or so. After that I guess no one would be that disciplined to keep up recasting a spell over and over again. Even if it is just a short prayer.
Short disclaimer: I don't do this for "powergaming" reasons. If you are not ok with recasting the cantrip over and over, Eiryn will just pray without any effect. That's just who she is. As soon as things are tense, she starts praying. Like with the wounded before. The guidance spell is just the ingame mechanic for that.

@ Eiryn: Strikes me that if heading into a probably dangerous situation she probably would keep a steady stream of prayers going. It makes sense to me that she'd keep the spell up, but I'm not the GM.

"Fine, fine," Vano says, acting annoyed to cover his fear. He takes the key from Escobert. Then he whispers to Bor. "You keep that pirate off my back, though."

He puts his bow over his shoulder and draws a pair of daggers. Then he advances a short way down the hidden corridor.

stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 Sigh.

So marching order is like this now:
Vano - stealthily scouting ahead
Treggor
Bor
Eiryn
Dorn
Tycandus

Yep, that looks right, Eiryn.

With no magical lighting, Dorn thought it best to hold a torch in one hand and his rapier in the other.

"Be our eyes, Vano. I know you can do it."

I hadn't considered scouting. Otherwise I would have used Inspiring Word on Vano. You can add a d6 to an ability check,attack or saving throw. 1 left for the day.

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Treggor sees Vano taking the lead, trying to remain quiet and subtle. He mimics the elf's movements in order to avoid drawing attention himself.
Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Tycandus follows not bothering with darkvision with the torch in front of him.

Tycandus could hold onto Dorn's backpack while walking backwards and watching our rear with darkvision.

Between Paizo's downtime, and extensive travel I've been remiss in posting. I promise it will pick up and stabilize.

I'm back!

The deep darkness and silence of the little used underground chamber weighs heavily on the group, as they sort out marching orders, and sources of light. Finally Vano sets off down the tunnel, moving silently, but distracted by weary thoughts.

Official GM ruling on maintaining the Guidance spell... I have nothing against doing this, my only concern might be, what god would be satisfied with constantly supplying divine might, that is not really being used. Might call for some demands from the god in the future (Que evil laugh). In addition mechanically if you're doing this as you're trying to remain stealthy, you might give detecting creatures advantage on their perception rolls, since this must be done aloud, even if quietly. In this case I'm giving advantage to Vano, and Treggor for the darkness of the tunnel, but you're praying would cancel that giving the group a net of no effect.

So right now Dorn with his torch is the only light you're providing is this correct?

The party makes their way forward the tunnel sloping slightly downwards, and becoming more damp as you descend. Vano is constantly having to push his way through webs, and he can hear the squeak of rats from behind the walls. Suddenly the scampering squealing noise takes on life, as two groups of hungry swarming rats overcome the party.

Since Vano and Treggor were so silent, the rats missed them and descended on the area occupied by Bor and Eiryn.

Initiatives

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Bors
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 Treggor
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 Tycandus
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 Vano
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13 Dorn
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 Eiryn
1d20 ⇒ 3 Rat Swarms

So initiative order is:

Eiryn
Tycandus
Treggor
Dorn
Vano
Bors
Rat Swarms

SB - Yep. I got the only torch right now.

"Oh, bloody hell!" Dorn curses as he sees the hundreds of sets of yellow teeth. He fumbles with his bag while still holding the torch.

He eventually pulls out a couple flasks of oil

"Quick! Take these and douse the brutes. We'll set them ablaze."

I'm guessing all that took my round. But it shouldn't be a thing to take the flasks from my hands.

Thanks, that makes perfectly sense. Since Eiryn would know the difference between a prayer to calm herself and one that calls on her lord's power to provide a spell, she will pray without casting spells. So, still silently praying, but without the whole magic.

Eiryn tries to get away from the rats, lucky to have such good reflexes, and takes the oil to throw it at the vermin.

Throw the oil: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

She then remains at the back of the group and will further withdraw if rats come near her.

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Since I was away for so long, I'm going to give all the other players a little time to respond. Maybe a "roll call" is in order.

Eiryn>
You throw like a girl. The flask breaks against the wall, but only douses a small portion of the swarm. (Only half damage if flamed)

Dorn>:
Fumbling for flasks, and keeping your torch going will only allow you to pull out one of your flasks of oil... Which Eiryn just almost used effectively.

Well, that was all I could hope for. Technically with Eiryn's strength score, I would be impressed if she did any better.

At least partly satisfied with her toss, she withdraws to the back of the line.

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Tycandus removes the alchemist's fire from the box he was given and throws it at the rats.
attack on rats: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Treggor watches the rats swarm over the others. His first instinct is to move on, but he realizes the only light is coming from someone else's torch. Cursing his poor foresight (and, in this case, eyesight), he draws his saber and moves forward, trying to cut a swath through the rats.
Saber: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Saber (adv): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25, Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

I'll give Vano and Bors till tomorrow evening to respond, then I'll bot them and we'll move forward.

Summary

Eiryn>: slings her oil at the packs of rats, but suceeds in getting more of it on the wall than on the floor.

Tycandus>: Tycandus quickly opens the box he was given earlier, and picks out the flask with the flame on the front of it. He slings it at the area that contained the oil, but somehow his sleeve caught on the splinter of an overhead beam, and his alchemist fire lit up the opposite wall from the oil. A few rats sizzle, but the effect is less than impressive.

Treggor>: Treggor with a grunt and a word not repeated in church, swings his saber through the mass of rodents and is pleased to see several of them beheaded in a most spectacular fashion. NOTE: your blow did damage the swarm but not as much as it would a single target.

Dorn>:You fumble through your pack for a flask of oil which is then handed to Eiryn, who for some reason decided to oil the lefthand side of the passage wall. You are further confused when Tycandus tries to sit fire to the opposite wall. You then shout a bit and point to where the swarms of rats actually are.

Waiting for Bors and Vano. I'll give them a PM.

Bors sees the mass of rodent flesh just after the smell of the nasty creatures hits him, he roars as he swings his warhammer at the hordes of vile beasts.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 Warhammer Attack
1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 Smashing damage.

Broken bodies of rats liter the swathe he cut through them, and more expire as their bodies connect with the tunnel wall.

Vano takes a different approach, drawing both daggers, and slicing at some of the slithering swarm, while using the other to keep them away from him.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 Dagger
1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Slicing damage.

And bits and pieces of rat rain down on the party with his backswing.

There are so many though. They swarm Bor and Eiryn, as Eiryn runs from the swarming pack. I'm going to rule that taking the flask from Dorn is your move action, and throwing it your standard action, so no movement till next round... unless you have an action surge or something.

Swarm 1: <damaged> on Bor
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 biting, scratching.
1d6 ⇒ 4 biting, scratching.

Swarm 2 on Eiryn
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 Biting Scratching
2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11 Biting, Scratching.

And it is the top of round 2... Eiryn you can continue with your withdraw action, or take another action if you'd wish.

Au contraire mon frere. Eiryn is at 0 HP and will thus fall to the ground trying to get those beasties off of her. But after a few seconds she looses contiousness, possibly due to shock or her falling to the ground. (why did the second swarm do 2d6 damage to me and the first one only 1d6 to Bor?)

Au contraire mon frere. Eiryn is at 0 HP and will thus fall to the ground trying to get those beasties off of her. But after a few seconds she looses contiousness, possibly due to shock or her falling to the ground. (why did the second swarm do 2d6 damage to me and the first one only 1d6 to Bor?)

The first swarm is at half hit points thus does reduced damage.

"Oh, damn."

Dorn moves in and pulls Eiryn out of the swarm of rodents.

Strength check? If not then I'll take the disengage action to avoid an opportunity attack.

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Treggor draws his shortsword and swings with both weapons in wide arcs at the rats.
Saber: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22, Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10, Sneak?: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Shortsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14, Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Eiryn>: collapses under the assault of the swarm of rats. The accumulation of the hard days work, and the horror of the tiny vermin's claws and teeth are too much for her.

Dorn>: Seeing the young cleric collapse reaches over, and grabs her cloak pulling her towards safety. The multitude of beady eyed black and grey part a bit, but many have latched firmly to her flesh, and don't seem eager to let go.

Treggor:Treggor continues to cut a swath through the ravenous creatures, and it looks like that the number of swarming creatures is only about half what it was when the attack began.

Tycandus... and Vano or Bors if you're still around, then the remaining swarm.

Remaining Swarm On Treggor

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 Biting and scratching.

But they seem to be distracted by their delicious target being drawn away, and are unable to organize and cause any harm. They do however seem to be gathering back into a mass.

Round 3

Eiryn
Tycandus
Treggor
Dorn
Vano
Bors
Rat Swarms

Dorn continues to pull Eiryn away from the rats. All the while he tries to staunch her wounds.

DC 10 to stabilize.

Wisdom (medicine): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

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Treggor scoffs as the small animals try to swarm around him and bite him. "Ha!" He shakes them off and swings his swords low to the ground. "Chew on this, ye filthy scum."
I'm not certain if anyone else threatens the swarm, but I'll roll Sneak damage just in case.
Saber: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7, Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Short Sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11, Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Edit: Or I won't, because I probably didn't even hit.

Thanks!

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Looks like Tycandus might be gone as well. I'm going to try and rerecruit at least one more player, and send Ty a PM.