The Dying City: DM Norv's "Curse of the Crimson Throne"

Game Master The Norv

Korriban lightly smacks the side of his head. ”That’s right. Sorry, I forgot.”

You can see if you know more about what a darksphinx might be with a Knowledge (Planes) check!

Meliya throws the lever a couple of times more, and the rooms rotate accordingly. After two more turns, you're back facing the first lever you found, and she ushers everyone forward into that room. "This will be the most direct route to your friend Orsini," she says as she prepares to throw the lever there, "But I'm worried that we haven't seen Sivit yet. The gears of the labyrinth are loud, she knows we're here. I fear she might be lying in wait." Once you're all ready, she pulls the lever and the rooms rotate once again.

"I hate being right," she says through gritted teeth. "Time to prove yourselves!"

In the opening ahead of you stands a sphinx with the torso and head of a woman, but the body of a winged lion. Horns sprout from her brow and she wields two glowing kukris. "Intruders! You've found me at last," she snarls. Her gaze snaps to Meliya. "And you've betrayed our master, I see. He shall know of this - when I send him your heads!" She whirls her kukris and lets out a battle cry!

COMBAT! Round One!

As Sivit readies herself to strike, Meliya cries out, "Beware! She's scribed a magical symbol onto the floor of the room. Don't get close or look at it!"

The heroes have the drop on Sivit, thanks to a natural 1 on her part!

Init
Party!<------
Meliya
Sivit

Combat Map

EDIT: link to Sivit's pic was broken, fixed now!

rta searing light: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13damage: 4d8 ⇒ (2, 6, 2, 8) = 18
"NOBODY LIKES RIDDLES!" The mad priest howls as he fires a sickly holy light at Sivit.

As they made their way through the rooms and stumbled on the dark sphinx Lantressa felt fear. The thing was huge and this was a very bad place to have to fight her. Knowing she needed to do what she could Tressa quickly casta spell and a pall of glittering dust fell all over the sphinx.

Cast glitter dust, target so as not to get us. DC 17 will vs blindness.

Callie flips her sword into her hand (free) and waves it in the air as she incants the haste spell again. Everyone is faster. (standard[/oo])

She also begins to tell a story about how a desert wanderer outwitted a foolish sphinx. ([ooc]Start inspire courage +2. Move action. )[/ooc]

With a wordless shout, Matoska darts forward, leaping at the last second to drive a savage kick towards the sphinx's throat.

Rage! Use my Martial Flexibility as a Swift Action to gain the Furious Focus feat, then 10ft charge, adding Knockout Blow to the attack
Power Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 2 + 2 = 29 Damage: 1d10 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 2 = 20 Fort19 or unconscious

So, I have a question. Where is the symbol that Meliya pointed out? Is it on the floor under the sphinx? Is it in the hallway leading to it? I just want to know before I make my move.

The symbol is on the floor under the sphinx. However - and I think this is common enough knowledge that everyone would be vaguely aware of it - some magical symbol traps are designed to go off whenever someone so much as looks at them. Whether this is one such, who knows (and you couldn't tell without detect magic+Spellcraft)...

Whoops, forgot all about the trap symbol. Oh well, it'll be exciting I'm sure

Korriban is shocked by the monster, instinctively settling into Crane style! "Holy s**t!" He hears Meliya call out the warning about the magic symbol. Scowling, he settles into a defensive stance, keeping his eyes away from the floor.

Due to Combat Style Master feat, I automatically start in Crane Style. Using Total Defense action.

Current AC: 28/23/15. Reflex save: +8 (+9 vs traps)

COMBAT! Round two!

You all spring into action. Teodor hurls a spear of light at the darksphinx, but the fiend shrugs it off; Lantressa's spell at first seems more successful, as she's at least clad in sparkling golden motes now, but the enraged darksphinx is clearly not blinded. Callie begins telling a thrilling tale as Korriban settles into a defensive stance...

Which is when Matoska heedlessly rushes forward. As he does so, the symbol scribed on the floor below the darksphinx flares to life and, as it shines on Matoska's face, he crumples to the ground, breathing but unconscious.

Well, that's not good. Matoska's asleep for 3d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 1) = 11x10 minutes - almost 2 hours. It's a DC 20 Spellcraft check if you want more info on how that works...

Sivit's eyes light up with a dark joy when she sees Matoska crumple to the ground before her, but the fiend is interrupted by Meliya Arkona (technically another fiend, I guess) launching herself into the air and swooping toward her. "I'm more than prepared to pay off the debt I owe you for serving my brother, Sivit!" she cries as she swoops over the fiend and attempts to kick her in the head. She connects, but clearly doesn't have the impact she'd hoped for.

Sivit points her finger at the cluster of you. "You'll perish here, and your souls I will consign to hell for my master, worms!" As she speaks, a cold, cloying miasma rises from the stones and envelops you all! As you recover, Meliya cries out, "The symbol! Find some way to cover up that symbol!"

Callie and Lantressa catch the worst of this miasma, taking 21 damage each and being sickened for 3 rounds. Matoska takes only 10 points of damage while Korriban and Teodor each take only 5 points of damage and are not sickened. The party is up! (Also I forgot my little "Vitals" spoiler last time; note that Sivit has spell resistance.

Initiative
Party! (But Matoska's asleep!)<----------
Meliya
Sivit

Combat Map

...bump?

*snore*

Sorry, just got back earlier today and missed the update

Callie grumbles and casts dispel magic on Matoska, knowing she is as likely to only dispel her own assistance spell as remove the powerful enchantment---but if she can wake him, so be it...

Caster Level Check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Sorry. I'm a bit hesitant to run in there since it seems that the symbol is still there.

Sorry, I somehow thought the spell discharged when Matoska took the hit. And of course all of us are trying not to look at it, so it's hard to see whether it's still there or not. I can change my target to the symbol itself, but then that would leave Matoska helpless right next to the monster, and I already declared so best to leave my action as it is. We basically can't fight this thing with the symbol there. Can you disarm it as a magical trap, Korriban? Otherwise, if Lantressa or Teo can't dispel it, the best thing to do might be to get Matoska back in the room with us and then flip the lever, and wait for the spell's duration to expire (probably a few hours). Also, Callie wouldn't know this necessarily, but once triggered, doesn't a symbol of sleep actually affects creatures within 60 feet? Hate to say it, but we should actually all potentially be affected.... Not that I want that to be the case, but just pointing out we're basically screwed.

"If that took down Matoska, we can't fight that thing with that symbol there. I've got him, can someone dispel the symbol?"

I could possibly disarm it as a magical trap. I thought that was an ability that rogues got later. However, since you brought up the 60 foot range, I'll wait until we have a ruling on that.

I may have been fudging that 60' thing a teensy bit to not totally screw you over, I admit. (The fact that you're running into Sivit in this particular room is...odd, and probably not intended. Has to do with the full rotation of the rooms you did earlier.) HOWEVER, while Korriban could try to disarm the trap (you do have that ability!), simply covering up the symbol - with anything - would also be effective. Just an option, not sure if it's helpful...

Question: I have an eversmoking bottle. If I were to open it and try to get the smoke on the ground like a fog machine, would that count as covering the symbol? Probably not.

...Hmmm. I actually like your thinking - though it wouldn't cover the symbol literally, it would keep you from seeing and triggering it! The downside is it'd keep you from seeing anything and anyone else, too...there's a lot of smoke in that bottle. In 1 round it fills a 50' area, "totally obscuring vision." So...you wouldn't see the symbol, but there'd be a lot of concealment going on!

Well darn. But I do have another idea. In my bag of holding, I have some grenades. I have pellet grenades, which might damage the floor. I also have a slime grenade which deals acid damage to the creature and damages wooden and metal armor. Would it make sense if I were to throw it at the symbol (while trying to avoid Matoska) that it would eat at the floor and the symbol?

Where are Teodor and Lantressa? Would be really good to know if either has a dispel magic spell to try to hit the symbol with before going into crazy plans.

Nope, no dispel magic. I could try greasing it.

I like the smoke idea, can blind Sivit as well and give the party cover to retreat and maybe let the Symbol dissipate

If we do the smoke I could summon a giant spider with tremor sense to f##$ with it.

All fun and good ideas. Given that grease covers a 10' square I would certainly deem that sufficient. :)

Lantressa cried out in pain as the energy hit her. The pain was excruciating and left her feeling sick as she tried to shake off the spells effects but she didn't let that stop her from fighting. Lantressa chanted and gestured and conjured a large patch of grease over the rune. It would hinder them and the sphinx but it should keep the rune covered up for now.

Casting grease on the floor over the rune. DC 16.

Okay. I have another question. I'm having trouble determining whether or not the hallway that Matoska's in is 10 feet wide or just 5 feet wide. The rocks are making it hard to figure out. Sorry if it seems like I'm stalling or holding things up.

Yeah, this dungeon isn't the kindest when it comes to grids. Call it 10' wide!

Lantressa summons a patch of grease, and manages to coat the symbol enough to make it safe to view. "Should be fine now!" Meliya calls through gritted teeth as she parries one of Sivit's blades.

Think we're just waiting on Korriban's action, then we'll resolve things.

Seeing the symbol get covered by the grease, Korriban decides to move in. He runs in, being careful of the grease. When he's next to Sivit, he stabs with his rapier, while maintaining a defensive stance!

Attack (fighting defensively, haste, Crane Style): 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 12 - 2 + 1 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Reflex roll vs grease (haste): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 = 15

Current AC is 25/20/15.

Derp, I said Korriban's action, but we're actually waiting on Teo's too. My bad - got confused in the back-and-forth. Will give him until tomorrow night to post since that one's on me!

Sorry, flying to see my parents tomorrow. What would it take to wake up our puppy? Would Teo even know?

So pissed Badger's Ferocity was wasted! You guys would be sick with it!

Me too. That was disappointing, though our die rolling was pretty awful--and I got knocked out, so I wouldn't have been able to use it anyway. I'm also bummed we didn't get to explore the labyrinth more before we ran into all these high level foes. Seems like the way this is going Meliya will 'port us out as soon as we get Orsini... though that could take longer than I am anticipating.

As for what would wake up Matoska--I cast dispel magic on him and rolled a pretty good caster level check. The Norv hasn't said whether it's worked yet.

Any sort of damage for a vigorous shake should do it

I don't want to metagame (probably a spellcraft check would be called for a character to be aware of it) but I believe this spell is powerful enough that won't work.

Blah, sorry I'm only seeing this now; I'm going to go ahead and resolve everything up to Teo. And yes...knowing what it takes to wake Matoska up (if the dispel fails) would be a Spellcraft check.

Lantressa lays down a coating of grease to obscure the symbol - and rather to her surprise, the darksphinx also topples to the ground! Callie, to her relief, sees Matoska begin to stir - and with the symbol covered up, there's no need to worry about him falling back asleep. Successful dispel! Korriban darts forward and stabs at the darksphinx's exposed soft furry underbelly - and hits! Unfortunately, his blade just slides off the beast's hide...

"You need a blessed weapon!" Yells Meliya.

Mechanically, there's DR there. Teodor and - since he's awake (but prone) now - Matoska are up! Also, man. Grease. What an MVP spell.

Combat Map

Am I allowed to make an Acrobatics check to kip up?

Is there a reason you wouldn't be?

Sorry, somehow missed that we're up.

Callie shoots Meliya a look. "Do we ragtag scoundrels and Matoska look like the sort who'd be carrying blessed weapons? Could've warned us sooner you know. I suppose one way or another you'll get what you want out of this."

She adds onto her story about the hero slaying foolhardy animal headed fiends as well as outwitting sphinxes. Maintain Inspire Courage

Callie then snaps her fingers and disappears. And then reappears. And then disappears. And reappears. Casting blink

She also pulls a potion of cure moderate wounds out of her haversack. Move action, no AOO

Matoska, eh, why not? Let's say the DC is equal to her CMD if you want to avoid an AoO. Also still waiting on Teo's action!

Damn, sorry, guys! I thought I'd posted this already.

Teodor hopes this creature is another fascist, and casts a protective spell on the party and their new ally. Communal Protection from Law.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25 Does this allow a faster stand-up like the Swashbuckler ability? Or just to avoid AoO?

Kicking his legs back, Matoska flips to his feet and bares his teeth at Sivit. "Let's try that again," he mutters.

Rage, Power Attack (-3, +6), Inspire Courage, Furious Klar. Trying Knockout Blow for real this time. If allowed to make a full attack I'd like to apply Pummeling Style to get through her DR, if not it can wait until next turn.

Throat Punch w/Klar: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (20) + 14 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 3 = 37 Confirm?: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25 Critical Damage?!: 2d6 + 32 ⇒ (6, 6) + 32 = 44 Fort19 or she gets to take a nap!

Did my damage wrong. Base 1d6+5, Rage +2, IC +2, Furious +2, Pwr Atk +6; total +17 so that should be 46dmg instead of 44.

After all the confusion of the last few weeks, trying to get the gears turning smoothly again...Matoska, without the swash ability I think it's fair to just say it avoids the AoO. Not that you need the full attack! Teodor, note that Protection from Law is a touch range, so you'll have to move forward if you want to share it with Korriban and Matoska (which you can do - and tell me if you do, as it changes something this round. I'm assuming you will...).

ROUND...*scroll, scroll, scroll*...THREE!

Teodor prays to Groetus to protect you all from the touch of law-driven creatures, and Matoska leaps to his feet. With a growl, he catches the prone darksphinx right in the throat! Even her infernal hide can't do much to protect her from this blow, and she gags and chokes - though she does not fall unconscious.

Meliya sneers down at Sivit. "That's the way!" She swoops down and delivers a flurry of blows with her fists and feet, which glow with magical energy. Though none of them are as powerful as Matoska's blow, nearly all seem to leave marks.

The darksphinx staggers to her feet, clearly furious. "Ingrates! Vile betrayers! I'll punish you for my master." She lashes out with her blades, though not very effectively - Meliya dodges both her blade and the sphinx's swinging scorpion-like tail, laughing, while Korriban parries the whirling backswing thanks to his acrobatic crane style. Matoska does catch a glancing blow to the chest from one of the kukris, but as Callie disappears, you all have a chance to strike back!

Matoska takes 13 points of damage, and party's up again, Callie using her action to cast blink and get out a potion! This is going...a lot better for you all than I would have expected.

Initiative
Party! (Minus Callie)<------
Meliya
Sivit

Combat Map

Teodor definitely would move up, sure. Will take actions after some others.

I'll hold off too, just in case more buffs come down the pipe. I'm going to try Pummeling Style finally!

Moved ya, Teodor!

Korriban deftly deflects the strike from the darksphinx. He smirks. "Hey. Wanna see something cool?" He swiftly changes his style and thrusts his rapier, before changing it's direction, switching his style again and making his attack, while keep up his defenses!

Feint: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31 If Sivit is a non-humanoid, then the result is 27.

Attack (fighting defensively, haste, Crane Style): 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 12 - 2 + 1 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Sneak Attack damage if the feint is successful: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

For Debilitating Strike, I will choose Bewildered.

Current AC is 25/20/15.

Free Action: Switch Styles to Swordplay Style using Combat Style Master feat
Move Action: Feint Sivit
Free Action: Switch Styles to Crane Style using Combat Style Master feat
Standard Action: Attack while Fighting Defensively

Korriban tries to fake out the darksphinx, but she parries his blow at the last second. "I've been slaying your kind for endless ages longer than you've been alive, mortal. You think to best me in swordplay?!"

Anyone else?

"Oooh, pretty kitty! Time for a playdate!" Teodor begins summoning a Celestial Wolf ...FROM BEYOND!