The Tomb of Horros Part 1 (4e) - Group 2

Game Master Rev Rosey

Glittering teeth chatter horribly as another barrage of missiles fail to damage it. The skull giggles offensively.

Ratner's Reject made me inhale tea.

To clarify - Thom is correct. You'll need to reactivate the teleportation circle to leave.

MAP

Skull cruising at 30 feet.

Drain Soul (Fort). Effects:
On hit, target is dazed and restrained (se both). First failed save, target is stunned. Second failed save, target dies and its soul is trapped in one of the construct's soul gems until the contsruct is destroyed.

Lynore - 5 ongoing necro (se)
Thom - BLOODIED; used AP; 5 ongoing necro (se)
Barel - 5 ongoing necro (se)
Acererak construct (+2 attacks and all defenses to end encounter); slowed, can't teleport and provokes OAs when it shifts to end Thom's next turn; vulnerable 5 to all Tavar's attacks (se)
Tavar (resist 11 necro)
Arishat

Assassin's Shroud 1 on Acererak
Executioner's Noose 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24 vs fort, 1d6 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 4 = 16 force damage and i pull the target 2 squares straight down and the target is slowed until the end of my next turn
save vs ongoing 1d20 ⇒ 7

Lynore once again tries to draw the skull towards the group.

Getting into the spirit of things, the skull makes a rude noise at Lynore and flashes its gem teeth at her.

MAP

Skull cruising at 30 feet.

Drain Soul (Fort). Effects:
On hit, target is dazed and restrained (se both). First failed save, target is stunned. Second failed save, target dies and its soul is trapped in one of the construct's soul gems until the contsruct is destroyed.

Thom - BLOODIED; used AP; 5 ongoing necro (se)
Barel - 5 ongoing necro (se)
Acererak construct (+2 attacks to end encounter); slowed, can't teleport and provokes OAs when it shifts to end Thom's next turn; vulnerable 5 to all Tavar's attacks (se); one shroud
Tavar (resist 11 necro)
Arishat
Lynore - 5 ongoing necro (se)

Don't forget I'm after Arishat in initiative. Thom is still up, but I want to make sure I don't get forgotten :)

Rev, thom availed himself of Tavar's heal earlier, so he is at full HP.

Thom glares irritably at the grinning skull, Let's see how it likes this.

Acid Arrow: A shimmering arrow of green, glowing liquid streaks to your target and bursts in a spray of sizzling acid.
Standard Action, Ranged 20
Attack: Intelligence 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21 vs. Reflex
Hit: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (7, 2) + 5 = 14 acid damage, and ongoing 5 acid damage (save ends).
Make a secondary attack.
Secondary Target: Each creature adjacent to the primary target
Secondary Attack: Intelligence +14 vs. Reflex
Hit: 1d8 + 5 acid damage, and ongoing 5 acid damage (save ends).
Miss: Half damage, and ongoing 2 acid damage to primary target (save ends), and no secondary attack.

Clear case of cut and paste fail. Thom is now unbloodied on the map and Lanthair is restored to his init position. Thom - still need a save v ongoing necro from you.

Thom delivers a faceful of acid to the skull. Most of it misses, but enough hits to make the thing look even more horrible than it already did.

MAP

Skull cruising at 30 feet.

Drain Soul (Fort). Effects:
On hit, target is dazed and restrained (se both). First failed save, target is stunned. Second failed save, target dies and its soul is trapped in one of the construct's soul gems until the contsruct is destroyed.

Barel - 5 ongoing necro (se)
Acererak construct (+2 attacks to end encounter); slowed, can't teleport and provokes OAs when it shifts to end Thom's next turn; vulnerable 5 to all Tavar's attacks (se); one shroud; 2 ongoing acid damage (se)
Tavar (resist 11 necro)
Arishat
Lanthair
Lynore - 5 ongoing necro (se)
Thom - used AP; 5 ongoing necro (se)

Oops, sorry about that, Rev.
Save vs. Necro 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Eesh. A crit is always nice, but sometimes I think the dice are just laughing at us all.

Barel still just wants to wollop this skull at least once, but he realizes with it so high up, he might as well stay where he to launch his attack. He takes careful aim with the hammer and flings it with a mighty heave!

ranged basic: (19)+ 15 (-2 long distance, I think) = 32 vs AC
damage = (5)+8 = 13 damage.
if that doesn't hit him, then Barel throws a very short stamping and cursing fit...if it does hit him, then Barel throws a very short and happy dancing and cursing fit!

The skull rocks in the air as Barel's hammer hits it full on. It sneers horribly, showing gemmed teeth and spins to try and down a foe in return.

Sing and dance. You hit it and it is bloodied.

Drain Soul recharge: 1d6=6. Yes.

Bobbing close to the ceiling, it turns on Lynore as the only target in reach.

Drain Soul (Fort). On hit target is dazed and restrained (se both, but see below for failed save consquences.
1d20+21=28 - Skull v Lynore. Hits.
Lynore is dazed and restrained (se both)

Save v Tavar's effect: 1d20+5=13 - Yes
Save v ongoing acid: 1d20+5=6 - No.

MAP

Skull cruising at 30 feet.

Drain Soul (Fort). Effects:
On hit, target is dazed and restrained (se both). First failed save, target is stunned. Second failed save, target dies and its soul is trapped in one of the construct's soul gems until the contsruct is destroyed.

Tavar (resist 11 necro)
Arishat
Lanthair
Lynore - 5 ongoing necro (se); dazed and restrained (se both but see above)
Thom - used AP; 5 ongoing necro (se)
Barel
Acererak construct (+2 attacks to end encounter) - BLOODIED; slowed, can't teleport and provokes OAs when it shifts to end Thom's next turn; one shroud; 2 ongoing acid damage (se)

Barel saved versus necro in his last turn (on Wed at ~3pm), but I didn't think to remind you about that in Barel's status description.

Is the Ratner's Reject comment referring to the hair salon chain, or is there a different D&D reference that I am missing?

Gerald Ratner was a businessman who imploded his own million-pound product a few years ago. He ran a chain of high-street jewellers and announced at a lunch awarding him for his spectactular success, that most of his stock was utter crap. Share prices in Ratners plummeted in seconds and he went bust within days. It's a sweet irony that he was right and the jewellery was indeed rubbish.

Wikipedia's article on him.

MAP

Skull cruising at 30 feet.

Drain Soul (Fort). Effects:
On hit, target is dazed and restrained (se both). First failed save, target is stunned. Second failed save, target dies and its soul is trapped in one of the construct's soul gems until the contsruct is destroyed.

Tavar (resist 11 necro)
Arishat
Lanthair
Lynore - 5 ongoing necro (se); dazed and restrained (se both but see above)
Thom - used AP
Barel
Acererak construct (+2 attacks to end encounter) - BLOODIED; slowed, can't teleport and provokes OAs when it shifts to end Thom's next turn; one shroud; 2 ongoing acid damage (se)

Sing and dance.

Spoiler:

Move action: "Manamana, Doo do da doodoot, Manamana Do Doo Doot Doot, Manamana Doo do da doodoot, da doodoot, da doot doot doodoot doot!

Ratner:

Barel's dance is impressive enough to draw the skull's attention. It boggles slightly as the dwarf stamps, claps and chants and the strange syllables fill the air.

Tavar is up and I have a hysterical visual.

Move to S12 and throw a lance of faith at the skull.
Attack vs Reflex, 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34, damage = 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Arishat gets the +2 power bonus.

Tavar moves deftly around the newly revealed pit trap as he blasts move divine light into the floating abomination.

MAP

Skull cruising at 30 feet.

Drain Soul (Fort). Effects:
On hit, target is dazed and restrained (se both). First failed save, target is stunned. Second failed save, target dies and its soul is trapped in one of the construct's soul gems until the contsruct is destroyed.

Arishat - +2 next attack on Skull
Lanthair
Lynore - 5 ongoing necro (se); dazed and restrained (se both but see above)
Thom - used AP
Barel
Acererak construct (+2 attacks to end encounter) - BLOODIED; slowed, can't teleport and provokes OAs when it shifts to end Thom's next turn; one shroud; 2 ongoing acid damage (se)
Tavar (resist 11 necro)

Paging Arishat.

Sorry.

Arishat loads another bolt grimly, as the skull hovers mockingly. "Third time's the charm, or so they say." As the bolt flies wide, she mutters something about the unknown 'they' and the location of their brains.

Minor, load crossbow.
Basic Ranged attack 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 15 vs AC, damage 1d8 ⇒ 5

Sling 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21 vs AC. 1d6 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18 damage.

Not to worry - it's a frustrating fight when you can't hit the thing.

More missiles clatter to the floor and the skull jeers again at the heroes.

MAP

Skull cruising at 30 feet.

Drain Soul (Fort). Effects:
On hit, target is dazed and restrained (se both). First failed save, target is stunned. Second failed save, target dies and its soul is trapped in one of the construct's soul gems until the contsruct is destroyed.

Lynore - 5 ongoing necro (se); dazed and restrained (se both but see above)
Thom - used AP
Barel
Acererak construct (+2 attacks to end encounter) - BLOODIED; slowed, can't teleport and provokes OAs when it shifts to end Thom's next turn; one shroud; 2 ongoing acid damage (se)
Tavar (resist 11 necro)
Arishat
Lanthair

Free action shroud #2 invoking both 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 4) + 6 = 16 brutal 1, does 1d6+3 even on miss
Executioner's Noose 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30 vs fort, 1d6 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 4 = 18 force damage and i pull the target 2 squares down to O10 and the target is slowed until the end of my next turn
save vs ongoing 1d20 ⇒ 16
save vs dazed/restrained 1d20 ⇒ 13

Lynore once again tries to draw the skull towards the group

Determination and loathing written in equal measure over her delicate features, Lynore brings all her skill to bear and hauls the cackling monster ever closer to destruction.

MAP

Skull cruising at 30 feet.

Drain Soul (Fort). Effects:
On hit, target is dazed and restrained (se both). First failed save, target is stunned. Second failed save, target dies and its soul is trapped in one of the construct's soul gems until the contsruct is destroyed.

Thom - used AP
Barel
Acererak construct (+2 attacks to end encounter) - BLOODIED; slowed to end Lynore's next turn; can't teleport and provokes OAs when it shifts to end Thom's next turn; 2 ongoing acid damage (se)
Tavar (resist 11 necro)
Arishat
Lanthair
Lynore

Thom notes uneasily the skull still has the ability to drain souls. He thinks, I wonder if it can do it while blinded, he he.

Radiant Pillar:
KEYWORDS Arcane, Implement, Radiant, Zone
You conjure a cylinder of light that illuminates the battlefield, searing the eyes of your foes.
Standard Action, Area Burst 1 within 10 squares.
Effect: The burst creates a zone of bright light until the end of your next turn. Creatures are blinded while within the zone. If a creature vulnerable to radiant damage starts its turn within the zone, it takes damage equal to double its vulnerability.

The skull howls protestingly as Thom bathes it in extremely painful light.

MAP

Skull cruising at 30 feet.

Drain Soul (Fort). Effects:
On hit, target is dazed and restrained (se both). First failed save, target is stunned. Second failed save, target dies and its soul is trapped in one of the construct's soul gems until the contsruct is destroyed.

Barel
Acererak construct (+2 attacks to end encounter) - BLOODIED; slowed to end Lynore's next turn; can't teleport and provokes OAs when it shifts to end Thom's next turn; 2 ongoing acid damage (se); blinded within zone and taking 10 damage at start of turn
Tavar (resist 11 necro)
Arishat
Lanthair
Lynore
Thom - used AP

Barel lobs the hammer at it again.

repost after glitch with Paizo: ranged basic = 30 (includes -2 for range) vs AC for 18 damage

Barel's hammer thumps into the skull, rocking it in the air so it spins wildly for a moment in Thom's radiant pillar.

Drain Soul recharge: 1d6=3. No.

Flying slowly out of the blinding light, more shadowy rays dart towards Tavar, Thom, Lynore and Lanthair. Clearly feeling a little beleaguered now, the thing repeats the attack.

Took 10 radiant at start of turn. Moved (slowed) out of zone. Shadow Ray Flurry v Tavar, Thom, Lynore and Lanthair. Uses AP and does same again.
Shadow Ray Flurry (Ref)
1d20+21=35 - v Tavar. Hits. 2d8+11=24
1d20+21=35 - v Thom. Hits. 2d8+11=20
1d20+21=32 - v Lynore. Hits. 2d8+11=20
1d20+21=25 - v Lanthair. Miss.
and again
1d20+21=24 - v Tavar. Hits. 2d8+11=23
1d20+21=31 - v Thom. Hits. 2d8+11=20
1d20+21=23 - v Lynore. Miss.
1d20+21=29 - v Lanthair. Hits. 2d8+11=20
47 necro damage to Tavar (or, in this case 36 thanks to his resist)
40 necro damage to Thom
20 damage to Lynore and Lanthair

MAP

Skull cruising at 30 feet.

Skull Aura 2 - enemies in aura take -2 to attacks.

Drain Soul (Fort). Effects:
On hit, target is dazed and restrained (se both). First failed save, target is stunned. Second failed save, target dies and its soul is trapped in one of the construct's soul gems until the contsruct is destroyed.

Tavar (resist 11 necro)
Arishat
Lanthair
Lynore - -2 to attacks (aura)
Thom - used AP
Barel
Acererak construct (+2 attacks to end encounter) - BLOODIED; slowed to end Lynore's next turn; can't teleport and provokes OAs when it shifts to end Thom's next turn; 2 ongoing acid damage (se)

Bloodied

Healing word on Lanthair, spend a HS and get extra 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 6, 3) + 6 = 19HP extra and +3 to all defences EOMNT.
Tavar regain 1hp.

Zelous Sanction on the skull, attack vs will, 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17, damage = 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (4, 5) + 9 = 18 radiant.
on hit next ally to hit skull can immediately spend an HS.

Tavar

Tavar gets the halfling back in the fight, but fails to make any impact on the skull itself.

MAP

Skull cruising at 30 feet.

Skull Aura 2 - enemies in aura take -2 to attacks.

Drain Soul (Fort). Effects:
On hit, target is dazed and restrained (se both). First failed save, target is stunned. Second failed save, target dies and its soul is trapped in one of the construct's soul gems until the contsruct is destroyed.

Arishat
Lanthair
Lynore - -2 to attacks (aura)
Thom - used AP
Barel
Acererak construct (+2 attacks to end encounter) - BLOODIED; slowed to end Lynore's next turn; can't teleport and provokes OAs when it shifts to end Thom's next turn; 2 ongoing acid damage (se)
Tavar (resist 11 necro)

Arishat grimly loads another crossbow bolt and sends it at the ceiling - or technically at the skull, but we all know how that will work out. "Thom, you're tough enough to stand up to this. Keep your head up and the spells coming."

Minor, load Crossbow
Standard, basic ranged attack 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 = 10 vs Ac, damage 1d8 ⇒ 3
Minor, Inspiring Word for Thom, he can spend a healing surge and recover an extra 3d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 5) = 13 hit points.
edit: Arishat needs to put her vanity away and get a pair of glasses to hit anything beyond her reach.

Wishing she'd taken her mother's advice for once ("Darling, you can get very stylish glasses these days,") Arishat attacks the blameless ceiling.

MAP

Skull cruising at 30 feet.

Skull Aura 2 - enemies in aura take -2 to attacks.

Drain Soul (Fort). Effects:
On hit, target is dazed and restrained (se both). First failed save, target is stunned. Second failed save, target dies and its soul is trapped in one of the construct's soul gems until the contsruct is destroyed.

Lanthair
Lynore - -2 to attacks (aura)
Thom - used AP
Barel
Acererak construct (+2 attacks to end encounter) - BLOODIED; slowed to end Lynore's next turn; can't teleport and provokes OAs when it shifts to end Thom's next turn; 2 ongoing acid damage (se)
Tavar (resist 11 necro)
Arishat

I'm sure you've thought of this already, Arishat, but when you level (which will be at the end of this fight), you might consider taking one of the Archer powers for warlords. I've just invested in a decent throwing javelin for my paragon warlord on the basis that he was completely useless unless he was neck deep in enemies. And that's not really his style.

@Arishat

@Everyone

Thanks for the heal!

Ranged basic with sling 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23 vs AC, 1d6 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19 damage

A pebble joins Arishat's growing pile of crossbow bolts.

MAP

Skull cruising at 30 feet.

Skull Aura 2 - enemies in aura take -2 to attacks.

Drain Soul (Fort). Effects:
On hit, target is dazed and restrained (se both). First failed save, target is stunned. Second failed save, target dies and its soul is trapped in one of the construct's soul gems until the contsruct is destroyed.

Lynore - -2 to attacks (aura)
Thom - used AP
Barel
Acererak construct (+2 attacks to end encounter) - BLOODIED; slowed to end Lynore's next turn; can't teleport and provokes OAs when it shifts to end Thom's next turn; 2 ongoing acid damage (se)
Tavar (resist 11 necro)
Arishat
Lanthair

Assassin's Shroud on Acererak
Executioner's Noose 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 16 - 2 = 22 vs fort, 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 force, slowed until the end of my next turn and pulled straight down 2 squares

Lynore once again attempts to draw the skull closer.

The skull blithely ignores Lynore's shadowy noose, but can't avoid future retribution as her trademark shroud drapes over it again.

MAP

Skull cruising at 30 feet.

Skull Aura 2 - enemies in aura take -2 to attacks.

Drain Soul (Fort). Effects:
On hit, target is dazed and restrained (se both). First failed save, target is stunned. Second failed save, target dies and its soul is trapped in one of the construct's soul gems until the contsruct is destroyed.

Thom - used AP
Barel
Acererak construct (+2 attacks to end encounter) - BLOODIED; slowed to end Lynore's next turn; can't teleport and provokes OAs when it shifts to end Thom's next turn; 2 ongoing acid damage (se); one shroud
Tavar (resist 11 necro)
Arishat
Lanthair
Lynore - -2 to attacks (aura)

"Jeez, die already will ya?"

Cast Magic Missile at it.
Learned boost adds 6 points damage, for total of 17 force DAM

Thom's force attack knocks a chunk off the skull. For the first time, the tiny construct is looking a little battered.

MAP

Skull cruising at 30 feet.

Skull Aura 2 - enemies in aura take -2 to attacks.

Drain Soul (Fort). Effects:
On hit, target is dazed and restrained (se both). First failed save, target is stunned. Second failed save, target dies and its soul is trapped in one of the construct's soul gems until the contsruct is destroyed.

Barel
Acererak construct (+2 attacks to end encounter) - BLOODIED; slowed to end Lynore's next turn; can't teleport and provokes OAs when it shifts to end Thom's next turn; 2 ongoing acid damage (se); one shroud
Tavar (resist 11 necro)
Arishat
Lanthair
Lynore - -2 to attacks (aura)
Thom - used AP

Barel steadies himself and aims with his throwing hammer again.

ranged basic: (6)+ 15 -2 = 19 vs AC for what would have been 19 damage.

And fails again.

Barel's hammer returns without doing any further damage to the skull. Smirking, it flies closer to inflict its aura on Barel and Arishat as well as Lynore before snapping with frustration when its ability to drain souls fails to return. Thoroughly irritated it flings random bolts of shadow at the companions most likely to damage it.

Drain Soul recharge: 1d6=3. No. Bah.

Shadow Flurry (Ref)
Targets Lynore, Thom, Tavar and Lanthair
1d20+21=28 - v Lynore. Hits. 2d8+11=23
1d20+21=35 - v Thom. Hits. 2d8+11=23
1d20+21=34 - v Tavar. Hits. 2d8=9
1d20+21=32 - v Lanthair. Hits. 2d8+11=22
23 necro to Lynore and Thom
22 necro to Lanthair
9 necro to Tavar (resist factored in)

MAP

Skull cruising at 30 feet.

Skull Aura 2 - enemies in aura take -2 to attacks.

Drain Soul (Fort). Effects:
On hit, target is dazed and restrained (se both). First failed save, target is stunned. Second failed save, target dies and its soul is trapped in one of the construct's soul gems until the contsruct is destroyed.

Tavar (resist 11 necro)
Arishat - -2 to attacks (aura)
Lanthair
Lynore - -2 to attacks (aura)
Thom - used AP
Barel - -2 to attacks (aura)
Acererak construct (+2 attacks to end encounter) - BLOODIED; slowed to end Lynore's next turn; 2 ongoing acid damage (se); one shroud

Oops, forgot to mention this earlier but Thom is at 9/72 hp. Bloodied, quite, he he.

Oops, forgot to mention this earlier but Thom is at 9/72 hp. Bloodied, quite, he he.

Arishat used Inspiring Word on him last time round, after he took 40 damage in one go. Healing Surge + 13 hit points.

"Stupid skull. Why won't you target me?" Arishat sounds annoyed. I could retaliate to that.

Tavar goes down and is at -4HP. So busy healing others I forgot to heal myself.

Almost unnoticed, Tavar slumps to the ground.

The skull's obscene cackle fills the air and spins to look at the fallen cleric.

MAP

Skull cruising at 30 feet.

Skull Aura 2 - enemies in aura take -2 to attacks.

Drain Soul (Fort). Effects:
On hit, target is dazed and restrained (se both). First failed save, target is stunned. Second failed save, target dies and its soul is trapped in one of the construct's soul gems until the contsruct is destroyed.

Tavar (resist 11 necro) - BLOODIED; prone and dying (needs to make death save)
Arishat - -2 to attacks (aura)
Lanthair
Lynore - -2 to attacks (aura)
Thom - possibly BLOODIED; used AP
Barel - -2 to attacks (aura)
Acererak construct (+2 attacks to end encounter) - BLOODIED; slowed to end Lynore's next turn; 2 ongoing acid damage (se); one shroud

Arishat used Inspiring Word on him last time round, after he took 40 damage in one go. Healing Surge + 13 hit points.

OK fixed...HP 40/72 Surge 6/8

"Stupid skull. Why won't you target me?" Arishat sounds annoyed. I could retaliate to that.

"I think it only targets those who are hurting it..."

"Tavar! We're battling servants of one of the worst necromancers of all time. The Raven Queen is watching. Stand up, and make her proud of you!" Arishat loads another crossbow bolt, and tries again to hit the skull.

Inspiring Word on Tavar, he can spend a Healing Surge and recover an additional 3d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 3) = 6 hit points.
Load Crossbow
Shoot crossbow, 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 12 vs AC, damage 1d8 ⇒ 3

"I think it only targets those who are hurting it..."

"I'm trying to. That should count for something."