The Whispering Cairn (Inactive)

Game Master Death-Lok

Since the wall is opaque Feres can't summon the archon behind it, so it will have to move through it to get to Ashka. Likewise Feres can't exclude anyone he can't see from the channeling. Fortunately they are out of range anyway.

Valgrim and the celestial each take 14 points of damage as they pass through the raging flames.

Remembering where he last saw the lizard woman, Vulcan unleashes a powerful torrent of water through the curtain of flames, steam rising as the continuous stream bursts through to hammer Ashka with heated water hurling her backwards.

Hydraulic torrent 60ft line Bullrush 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

is Bubba out of range of the channel?

Bad guys are up. Valgrim is within 10' of Archon so AC jumps to 20.

Bubba was just in range for the channel.

Vulcan's gushing water misses its target. Vug and Vulcan take another 7 points of damage from the heat. Ashka hits the archon for 7 points of damage. Allustan triggers a spear falling from the ceiling which also hits the archon, but it fights on.

Allustan tries to cast a spell but is interrupted by a sudden lunge from Valgrim. He looks annoyed, then changes into a fearsome orc warrior wielding a greataxe.

You are up.

Feeling the searing heat Vulcan growls angrily as he realizes Valgrim and Bubba are isolated.

"$^@$# this! Friar, get ready for another burst of healing!" he shouts at he leaps through the flames with a roar of rage and agony.

Running through flames to 10 ft past the wall

Vug and Vulcan take another 7 points of damage from the heat.

Assuming the spell is Wall of Fire, isn't Vug far enough away to take less damage?

Vug, according to your post and the map, you are at R19 so you are within 10' of the wall, which is between T14-T21. Wall of Fire says: One side of the wall, selected by you, sends forth waves of heat, dealing 2d4 points of fire damage to creatures within 10 feet and 1d4 points of fire damage to those past 10 feet but within 20 feet. So 7 damage seems right from 2d4.

Assuming Ashka saved against the hideous laughter:

"Drop that thing!"

Bubba casts grease on the greataxe (Ref DC 16 each round to avoid dropping it) and moves to engage what used to look like Allustan.

Moving to X16, taking a path to avoid an AoO from Ashka
Maintaining Inspire Courage +2
Bardic Performance 1/15
hp 53/57
AC 18

Vug, according to your post and the map, you are at R19

In my last post, I said that I retreat to P21. Should I be updating the map myself? I can't access Google Docs from work, though.

Ah...maybe BT missed your move, just like I did. LOL.. You still would take 1d4 damage as you are within 20'.

Apologies for the delay - busy, busy day yesterday.

Okay, so in Round Two the archon appeared and moved through the wall of fire (taking 14 points of damage) to square V,16, not V,18, in order to protect Bubba. At that position, I believe the archon would have been just beyond the range of Feres' Channel Energy, so no healing for the archon.

With regards to the7 points of damage inflicted to the archon by Ashka - is that the total inflicted above and beyond the archon's DR 10/evil? EDIT: Saw BT's clarification below; archon's HP revised accordingly.

Round Three (Hound Archon):

Growling from its wounds, the hound archon shifts to the side to flank Ashka with Valgrim. The divine servant of Sarenrae then unleashes a flurry of strikes against the lizardfolk.

Hound Archon 5-ft steps to square U,17. Full attack against Ashka with greatsword and bite.

Greatsword Attack #1: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 2 + 2 = 16 (includes Inspire Courage, flank)
Greatsword Damage #1: 2d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6, 5) + 3 + 2 = 16

Greatsword Attack #2: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 + 2 = 25
Greatsword Damage #2: 2d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2, 6) + 3 + 2 = 13

Bite Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 12
Bite Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 2 = 11

Hound Archon HP: 25/39
Hound Archon AC: 19; 21 vs. evil creatures
Hound Archon DR: 10/evil
Hound Archon Spell Resistance: 15
Hound Archon Immunities: electricity, petrification
NOTE: The Hound Archon radiates a continuous Magic Circle Against Evil, granting all creatures within the area the benefits of a Protection from Evil spell - granting +2 deflection bonus to AC and +2 resistance bonus to saves vs. evil creatures.

Seeing everyone else running through the sheet of flame, Vug gulps and says "Here goes nothing..." and flies through it herself.

Once on the other side, she tries hitting "Allustan" with another stink bomb.

1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 1 + 2 = 264d6 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6, 6, 3, 6) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 27 plus nausea

Yeah, Vug's damage should be corrected to 3. And Ashka failed to penetrate the archon's DR.

Vulcan and Vug take 15 points of damage for running and flying through the wall, and Vulcan also takes an AoO from Ashka for 12 points of damage.

The archon puts some more hurt on Ashka. Then Vug's bomb finally manages to silence the raging orc Allustan, at least for a little while. He even takes some damage.

Valgrim to go, then Allustan and Ashka.

Did "Allustan" drop the greataxe from the Grease spell?

Round 4 action:
Valgrim decides the party needs to whittle down the forces and attacks Ashka as well with flank!
First Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 2 + 2 = 29
Damage: 1d12 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 2 = 15
Second Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d12 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 12 + 2 = 26

AC:22
HP: 60/74

Round Three: (Friar Feres):

Feres eyes the writhing black tentacles covering the floor in front of the doorway and heaves a sigh of resignation. The stout priest then withdraws one of his magic pearls from his belt pouch and uses its magic to recall the spell of protection that he cast earlier on Ilya Starmane.

Move action to retrieve Pearl of Power from belt pouch. Standard action to use Pearl of Power to recall Shield of Faith spell.

Vulcan collapses from Ashka's strike, body still smoking.

Vulcan on -5 hp, stabilization roll 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 and dying

Tom, did you roll the saves for the Hound Archon's aura of menace?

Forgot about the archon's Aura of Menace: Hostile creatures within 20-ft radius of the archon must succeed DC 16 Will save or take -2 penalty to attacks, saves, and AC for 24 hours or until they successfully hit the archon.

I wouldn't have remembered it, except Black Tom had us fighting a lantern archon in one of his other games and we were stuck on the other side of the aura!

Allustan manages to hold on to the axe, but Ashka succumbs to Valgrim's assault. Allustan is busy coughing and spitting from Vug's bomb, so you are up.

I did forget about the Aura of Menace, but I don't think it makes much of a difference. Allustan made the save.

Vug peppers "Allustan" with a pair of arrows.

1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 271d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 14

1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 141d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 10

Bubba stabs at "Allustan" with his rapier.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Crit damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Terminating Inspire Courage +2, its effects linger for 2 more rounds
hp 53/57
AC 18
Lingering Performance 2/2 rounds

Round 5 Action:

Valgrim continues to attack the doppelganger.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 2 = 22
Damage: 1d12 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 2 = 18
Second attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 13
Damage: 1d12 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 2 = 21

Round Four (Hound Archon):

As Bubba, Valgrim, and Vug battle 'Allustan' the hound archon reaches down to touch the fallen form of Vulcan, imbuing the sorcerer with the blessing of the Healing Flame. The celestial being then hefts its greatsword and steps next to Bubba to join the melee against the shapechanger.

Standard action to cast Aid on Vulcan, granting him 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 temporary hit points (duration 6 minutes) and +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and saves against fear effects. Move action 10 ft from square U,17 to square W,15

Hound Archon HP: 25/39
Hound Archon AC: 19; 21 vs. evil creatures
Hound Archon DR: 10/evil
Hound Archon Spell Resistance: 15
Hound Archon Immunities: electricity, petrification
NOTE: The Hound Archon radiates a continuous Magic Circle Against Evil, granting all creatures within the area the benefits of a Protection from Evil spell - granting +2 deflection bonus to AC and +2 resistance bonus to saves vs. evil creatures.

Round Four (Friar Feres):

"Nothing for it then," Feres mutters, offering a quick prayer to Sarenrae and casting the spell of protection that he just recalled. Taking a deep breath, Feres steps forward and attempts to skirt the edge of the black tentacles, moving toward the clear area along the wall.

Standard action to cast Shield of Faith on self, granting +3 deflection bonus to AC and CMD. Move action to step forward into square O,14 (and provoking an automatic attack from the tentacles); if the tentacles fail to grapple Feres, he then steps out of their area and moves to square Q,14.

Feres' AC: 21; CMD 20
Feres' HP: 58/58

Much appreciated but if the curtain of fire is opaque you can't target Vulcan to cast aid. As much as it sucks.

Feres can't target Vulcan but the archon can and just did.

The former Allustan is taking quite a beating. Just as he manages to collect himself and fight back, the axe slips from his grasp and clatters to the ground. Furious, he shifts back into the shape of the hawkish old wizard and prepares to cast a spell and go out in a blaze of glory, but the distraction proves too much for him and the spell fizzles. Figures

The tentacles grasp Feres and squeeze him for 10 points of damage.

You are up.

"Attaboy, Bub! You don't f-f-fight with your sword very often, but when you do, you're definitely an expert f-f-fencer!" Vug chirps gleefully.

She keeps up her shower of arrows.

1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 291d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 10

1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 311d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 14

Valgrim marvels, "You've become quite the archer there lassie. Guess it's in your blood."

"Oh, bows and bombs are easy. You just point the dangerous end towards the enemy and let go!"

Bubba stabs again.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Crit damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Valgrim Round 6 action:

Valgrim tries to finish the job if Vug's arrows didn't do it, opting for more accuracy and less power.
First attack: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d12 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12
Second attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 = 23
Damage: 1d12 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13

The wizard collapses into a heap and his features melt away, revealing a blank face wearing a strange sign on its forehead.

Feres to go, then the tentacles...

"Hold on F-f-father F-feres! We took care of the bad guys, now we just have to wait for the f-f-fire and tentacles to wear off."

If you want to increase your touch AC even more, you could try taking the Total Defense action.

Vug checks the fallen enemies for equipment.

He's already grappled, he needs to escape now by increasing CMB somehow and winning an opposed grapple check.

"I'll make you slippery Pops"

Bubba casts grease on Feres (giving him a +10 bonus on Escape Artist checks or combat maneuver checks to escape a grapple).

He also studies the sign on the doppleganger's forehead.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Wow, shoulda taken 10

Very resourceful but you still need to get through the wall to be able to target Feres. And with Knowledge checks I prefer you only make one roll, and then apply the best applicable bonus.

Round Five:

"Uh, guys? Could use a little help here," Feres gasps, trapped in the clutches of the black tentacles.

Heedless of its own safety, the hound archon jumps through the wall of fire and rushes to Feres' side, calling upon the power of their Goddess to imbue the priest with the blessing of the Healing Flame.

Hound Archon move action 40 ft to square P,14 (just outside area of black tentacles adjacent to Feres' position). Standard action to cast Aid on Feres: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 temporary hit points bestowed.

"My thanks, holy one," Feres gasps as he attempts to break free of the tentatcles' grasp.

Standard action to attempt to break grapple: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17. If successful (doubtful with that roll), Feres will step back into the doorway (square O,13).

Feres' AC: 21; CMD 20
Feres' HP: 48/58 plus 14 temporary hit points

He's already grappled, he needs to escape now by increasing CMB somehow and winning an opposed grapple check.

If he can increase his CMD enough (e.g. through Total Defense or something like that), the tentacles might fail a grapple check as well, in which case the grapple ends.

Thanks, guys! Will try the Total Defense next round.

Yeah, but the tentacles get +5 on the roll due to the fact that he's already grappled.

My best bet's probably going to be to just wait out the duration of the black tentacles spell - it was cast in the first round, and has a duration of 1 round/level (hopefully 'Allustan' wasn't a super-high level caster!). Not that Feres probably knows that, of course...

Well he was high enough to cast wall of flame so it could be a while.

Feeling that the Archon's blessing is the only thing keeping him on his feet Vulacnwaits for the wall of fire to drop, assisting Vug in the search of the fallen.

Can anyone do a Heal check on Vulcan to stabilize him? Or does the Aid need to end first?

What do you know, another 1 from the tentacles.

A lucky fluke lets Feres evade the grasp of the tentacles, and he escapes back into the doorway. A short while later, the tentacles, wall of flames and archon all pop out of existence, leaving you free to tend to Vulcan and collect the loot.

The doppleganger emulating Ashka was carrying a +1 longsword and a masterwork studded leather armor. The phony Allustan had a magic greataxe, a magic ring, a scroll of Fireball (CL 8) and a wand.

Traps and all, this room gained you 3200 xp each.

Magic greataxe is music to my ears...eagerly waiting for Bubba to spellcraft the items!

"Good to see ya alive, Friar! We all pretty hurt, especially the mage!"
Valgrim at 60/74 hps.

Vug tries to stabilize Vulcan after the Aid wears off, if necessary.

some Heal checks:
1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5
1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

While Valgrim waits for the Spellcraft, he will check out the macabre assembly of vats and tubes that connects to a table with numerous straps and a strange silver helmet. Perception check: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35

"Vug, can you check the area and dais for anymore traps?"

"Good to see ya alive, Friar! We all pretty hurt, especially the mage!"

"Good to be alive, Valgrim!" Feres replies with a grin, relieved to see that all of his companions are still within the realm of the living. "The blessings of the Healing Flame should alleviate our wounds."

Channel Energy (Healing) #1: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 5, 5) = 16 hp healed
Channel Energy (Healing) #2: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 1) = 6 hp healed

"How's everyone feeling now?"

Number of Channels used today: 6/7